Profile of the MacLarenArtCentre: Mission Statement

The MacLarenArtCentre is a not-for-profit art gallery in the heart of Barrie, Ontario, whose mission is to integrate the visual arts and culture within our community and region. The MacLarenArtCentre presents exhibitions and education programming within the gallery and the larger community; and maintains a permanent, study-oriented collection in a balance of historical and contemporary art. Education provides the unifying link that activates our collection and exhibitions by engaging the hands, hearts and minds of people of all ages.

Brief History

Opening in a storefront location, the Barrie Gallery Project group started with an Interim Gallery space in 1988. The following year Mr. Maurice MacLaren left both his home and art collection to the Barrie Gallery Project, thus giving a name to the new gallery, the MacLarenArtCentre. In 1990 the gallery began its touring exhibition programme circulating three exhibitions nationwide. Always dedicated to sustainability, by 1996 the MacLaren was raising more than 80% of its operating budget through fundraising, while attendance continued to grow.

2001 was a significant year for the MacLaren with the opening of a brand new 24,000 square-foot gallery facility in downtown Barrie. The new MacLarenArtCentre has received wide acclaim, receiving the Ontario Association of Architects’ (OAA) Award for Best Building (under $10 million) the year following its opening.

In late 2003 the MacLaren ran into a difficult period. The collection of Rodin Sculptures that were to be donated to the Gallery were not forth-coming as planned. Much media and public attention focused on the failed transaction and rumours abounded about how the MacLaren might have been involved in a dubious transaction. Over the next two years the MacLaren endured a significant decline in public support, and consequently also in programming.

But by the end of 2005 the City of Barrie released a report on the failed transaction that cleared the MacLaren of any wrong doing, and the path to rejuvenation began. At the same time an Interim Director was hired to assist in getting the MacLaren back on track.

2006 was a turn-around year for the MacLaren. Programming activity increased rapidly, public support returned and the gallery was once again operating in the black.

During the year the MacLaren re-established a strong working relationship with the City of Barrie, and as well, went through a strategic planning process that paved the way for a strong operating plan to take the organization forward.