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MacLaren Art Centre

Strategic Plan Process

The MacLaren Art Centre (MacLaren) is a free public art gallery with over 4,000 works of contemporary and modern Canadian art in the permanent collection, and the gallery serves an immediate community of approximately 300,000 people across Barrie and Simcoe County.

The MacLaren Art Centre’s mission is to engage and enrich the immediate and larger community by providing innovative and relevant contemporary visual arts programming at the Centre. The MacLaren is currently preparing a new strategic plan to develop a framework to guide its future initiatives for the next 5 years. The consultation process includes many opportunities for the community to provide feedback through the City of Barrie survey, community events, focus groups and interviews.

The Steering Committee is a critical aspect of the development of the strategic plan that is inclusive, responsive, and reflective of the diverse communities we serve as we move forward into the future. Selected are a group of individuals that offer a wide range of diversity in community representation, institutional knowledge, and collaborative efforts in and out of their field. The strategic plan goal is to have these members help guide and offer insight into how we progress in the innovation of the organization,

The Osborne Group is providing consulting services to the MacLaren Art Centre with a team of consultants well suited for this work with their extensive strategic planning experience, community engagement skills, and their familiarity with both the arts gallery sector, and their knowledge of current trends in the arts and culture community.

It is expected that a new plan will be presented to the steering committee and the Board in late 2024.

In 2023, the MacLaren Art Centre was awarded a grant through the Ontario Trillium Foundation to help build the Strategic Plan. 

2025-2030

Strategic Plan Overview

The MacLaren Art Centre’s strategic plan for 2025-2030 sets out an ambitious and achievable plan building on the strengths of the institution and guided by the deep consultation and engagement process in 2024. Below is a high-level overview of Strategic Plan timelines and priorities, and a refreshed vision, mission and values.

Vision

To spark creativity and reflect community

Mission

Design and deliver contemporary visual art and educational experiences to connect our diverse communities and partners

Values
  • Artistic Excellence
  • Innovation
  • Fostering Belonging
  • Curiosity
  • Creativity

Colour-Coded Timeline: 

2025 Signal change via brand awareness, enhance facilities, invest in outreach, fundraising, and stabilize leadership

2026 Launch a refreshed artistic vision and advocate for increased public funding

2027Focus on preparing for Category A designation and developing the Barrie Cultural District

2028Execute capital infrastructure projects

2029Achieve Category A designation and celebrate the growth of Barrie’s creative economy in collaboration with partners and the City of Barrie

Strategic Directions and Goals
I. Achieve artistic excellence and Category A designation

1. Goal: Curate high-quality contemporary art exhibitions

2. Goal: Modernize the collection policies and mandate

3. Goal: Implement infrastructure upgrades and facility improvements

4. Goal: Achieve Category A designation

II. Expand community outreach and foster a sense of belonging

1. Goal: Advance reconciliation with Indigenous communities

2. Goal: Engage diverse and growing communities with inclusive programs

3. Goal: Modify operating hours to increase access and attendance

III. Build organizational capacity and enhance community investment

1. Goal: Stabilize leadership

2. Goal: Implement progressive HR policies

3. Goal: Increase visibility and market share

4. Goal: Build fundraising capacity and donor engagement

5. Goal: Revitalize the volunteer program

6. Goal: Secure grants and operational funding

IV. Strengthen Barrie’s creative Economy

1. Goal: Strengthen initiatives with the regional cultural sector

2. Goal: Play an active part in the new cultural district in downtown Barrie

3. Goal: Partner to grow the creative economy in Barrie and Simcoe Region