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Exhibitions begin at Zaha Hadid Architects-designed Changsha Meixihu International Culture & Arts Centre
The first exhibition has opened at MICA, the contemporary art museum at the Changsha Meixihu International Culture & Arts Centre, which which was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA).
ZHA says the 115,000sq m (1,240,000sq ft) centre is the largest and most versatile cultural centre in China's Hunan province, comprising three separate but complementary venues that each cater for a different use.
The 1,800-seat Grand Theatre, which was completed in 2017, is designed to host a popular programme of performances and television productions, with the lobbies, bars, hospitality suites and back-of-house support facilities required at a major venue.
The more flexible, 500-seat Small Theatre, meanwhile, can be transformed to host a variety of performance types and events, ranging from small plays to fashion shows and music performances to banquets and commercial events.
The newly opened MICA houses eight galleries totalling 10,000sq m (108,000) and has a large atrium for hosting installations and events, as well as spaces for community workshops, a lecture theatre, a café and a museum shop.
Located on the edge of Meixi Lake, the Changsha Meixihu International Culture & Arts Centre provides views out over the water and access to parks and walking trails on the lake’s Festival Island.
External courtyards provide spaces for outdoor events and sculpture exhibitions.
![the centre was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects / Virgile Simon Bertrand the centre was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects / Virgile Simon Bertrand](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH343929_842831_254738.jpg)
![It comprises three separate but complementary venues / Virgile Simon Bertrand It comprises three separate but complementary venues / Virgile Simon Bertrand](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH343929_459233_321016.jpg)
![Rach venue caters for a different use / Virgile Simon Bertrand Rach venue caters for a different use / Virgile Simon Bertrand](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH343929_471948_747715.jpg)
![The design features the signature curves of Zaha Hadid Architects / Virgile Simon Bertrand The design features the signature curves of Zaha Hadid Architects / Virgile Simon Bertrand](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH343929_431700_913054.jpg)
![The newly opened MICA contemporary art museum houses eight galleries / Virgile Simon Bertrand The newly opened MICA contemporary art museum houses eight galleries / Virgile Simon Bertrand](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH343929_920503_138672.jpg)
![MICA's galleries cover 10,000sq m (108,000) / Photograph by IG: Seven7Panda MICA's galleries cover 10,000sq m (108,000) / Photograph by IG: Seven7Panda](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH343929_791471_92840.jpg)
![There is a large atrium for hosting installations and events / Photograph by IG: Seven7Panda There is a large atrium for hosting installations and events / Photograph by IG: Seven7Panda](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH343929_506140_448642.jpg)
![There are spaces for community workshops, a lecture theatre, a café and a museum shop / Photograph by IG: Seven7Panda There are spaces for community workshops, a lecture theatre, a café and a museum shop / Photograph by IG: Seven7Panda](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH343929_277556_693252.jpg)
![The centre provides views out over Meixi Lake / Photograph by IG: Seven7Panda The centre provides views out over Meixi Lake / Photograph by IG: Seven7Panda](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH343929_355521_894593.jpg)
![The 1,800-seat Grand Theatre is designed to host a popular programme of performances and television productions / Virgile Simon Bertrand The 1,800-seat Grand Theatre is designed to host a popular programme of performances and television productions / Virgile Simon Bertrand](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH343929_737661_875879.jpg)