Maclaren Art Centre

The maclaren art centre is a major public art gallery in central ontatio serving the residents of barrie the county of simcoe and the surrounding area. The maclaren's mission is to engage and enrich the immediate and larger community by providing innovative and relevant visual arts programming. The gallery has a permanent collection of over 27 400 works of art held in trust for the public and presents a year-round programme of exhibitions special events gallery tours talks and workshops. Education provides the unifying link that highlights our collections and exhibitions and fosters an understanding and appreciation of the visual arts. The maclaren is housed in a 24 000 square-foot award-winning building in downtown barrie that combines a renovated 1917 carnegie library and a contemporary addition designed by hariri pontarini architects. The complex includes multiple galleries an education centre a research library a sculputre courtyard a cafe and a gift shop. As a cornerstone of culture for barrie the maclaren is a central meeting place and a cultural hub of activities for residents in the city a destination for visitors from across the province and a catalyst for downtown revitalization.