The SARC building is home to unique facilities complemented by a range of performance spaces and instruments available in the Music building. SARC researchers also access other facilities at Queen’s including the Black Box Film Studio, Brian Friel Theatre and the new Media Lab. A £1.2m grant was secured in 2023 through the Higher Education Research Capital from the Department from Economy.

This has allowed for a significant investment in upgrading existing facilities and creating new state of the art research infrastructure. Investment was made in the following areas:

1. Immersive audio to help maintain SARC's leadership in this area,

2. Audio Visual and Broadcast production facilities to broaden the range of research outputs, documentation of research processes and dissemination with a focus on high quality streaming with the aim of reaching international audiences,

3. Gallery equipment to provide a state-of-the-art audio visual immersive projection space with multichannel audio filling a gap in creative practice venues in the city and region,

4. Maker Space equipment to respond to technological change and demand in the use of prototyping facilities for physical computing research,

5. Mobile Field Recording and Streaming (SARC Mobile), a bespoke field work vehicle for specialised multichannel audio visual recording and broadcasts, and

6. SARC Building AV Network upgrade to ensure hi speed AV transmission across the building and other areas on Campus. 

We are currently in the procurement process for much of this equipment with the completion of works expected before the new autumn semester September 2024.  Please revisit this page over the coming months for more information on these exciting developments.