The City of Barrie and the Barrie Public Art Committee are inviting proposals from artists or artist teams based in the Barrie area and throughout Ontario for public art installations that will serve as a downtown patio enhancement.
"The Brightening Barriers project, which started in 2021, has turned seasonal patio fencing into a collective artistic experience for Barrie’s residents and visitors,” said Carol-Ann Ryan, Public Art Coordinator. “By pairing artists with downtown business owners, we've transformed these perceived barriers into sites of community engagement and pride."
The City of Barrie will commission six new works of art for Brightening Barriers that will be on display in public spaces from May 16 to September 26, 2025. Four commissions will be reserved for local/regional artists/artist teams and two commissions will be available to successful proposals received from artists/artist teams based elsewhere in Ontario.
The selected works of art will bring a free and accessible cultural experience to the community and animate the downtown corridor with points of interest along Dunlop, Collier and Simcoe Streets. Each installation will be affixed to a patio fence generously provided by a local business.
In 2025 the City of Barrie will offer a mentorship program for up to 3 emerging and first time Brightening Barriers artists.
Artists are invited to submit proposals for vibrant and joyful artworks that will transform downtown patio fencing into a collective artistic experience by 5 p.m. on March 21, 2025.
Since 2021 Brightening Barriers has showcased a variety of artistic voices in a wide range of media. Selected proposals in past years demonstrate original approaches to art in public space bringing colour and unexpected encounters with visual art to downtown Barrie.
For more information, program requirements and how to apply, visit www.barrie.ca/BrighteningBarriers.