Published Friday, 03 February 2012
"I'm so disappointed to be unable to celebrate with you today, back in the beautiful Harbour Commissioner's Office in Belfast," she said.
"When we all stood there last, back in 2007, the MAC was a wonderful dream and now that dream has finally become a wonderful reality."
The MAC really is an amazing gift for the people of Northern Ireland - more than a building, it's about the art and the magic that happens inside.
Meryl Streep
First and deputy First Ministers Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness were in attendance at the event on Friday, hosted by broadcaster and journalist Mariella Frostrup.
The opening programme is set to include a specially commissioned play about the aftermath of the Titanic disaster, penned by playwright Owen McCafferty.
The drama uses evidence from an actual inquiry into the sinking to tell the personal stories of survivors.
MAC replaces the Old Museum Arts Centre, which was established at Belfast's College Square North in 1990, and will open in the city's Cathedral Quarter on April 20.
The centre contains two theatres, three art galleries, a dance studio, rehearsal space and a cafe-bar.
As well as paintings by L S Lowry and William Conor, the galleries will host exhibitions by local film-maker Nicholas Keogh and Dublin artist Maria McKinney when the building opens.