In 2006, Barrie introduced its first cultural plan, which set the groundwork for cultural development. In 2025, the City of Barrie, with support from art and cultural consultant MASSIVart, updated its Culture Plan and Public Art Strategy to reflect the city's diversity and strengthen its cultural ecosystem. The Public Art Strategy was developed in conjunction with the Culture Plan Update and was approved in June 2025.
Grounded in the voices of over 725 community members, the plan lays out a shared vision: more space for culture, more meaningful support for artists, and a stronger presence for arts and public art in everyday life. It places equity and reconciliation at the core, committing to collaboration with Indigenous communities and broader cultural representation across the city.
The updated Culture Plan was approved in December 2025. Staff will begin to undertake recommended actions in 2026.
Six Priorities for a Cultural Future
The Culture Plan outlines six key strategic priorities to help achieve our vision for arts and culture in Barrie:
- Fostering a resilient and thriving creative community
- Supporting spaces for culture to thrive
- Making culture accessible to all
- Celebrating Barrie’s cultural diversity
- Furthering reconciliation and Indigenous futures
- Becoming a culture-friendly municipality
The Culture Plan includes 65 recommended actions to support the development of the culture sector. These recommendations will be used to guide the development of the 2026–2035 Cultural Development operating budgets and future Capital Plans for Council consideration.
