The MacLaren Art Centre is the regional public art gallery serving the residents of Barrie, the County of Simcoe and the surrounding area. The Gallery has a permanent collection of contemporary Canadian art held in trust for the public and presents a year-round program of world-class exhibitions, education activities and special events.

The MacLaren is housed in an award-winning building in Downtown Barrie. This architectural landmark combines a renovated 1917 Carnegie library with a contemporary addition designed by Siamak Hariri of Hariri Pontarini Architects.

The complex includes multiple galleries, an education centre, a sculpture courtyard, a café, and gift shop. As a cornerstone of culture for Barrie, the MacLaren is a visual arts centre that adds to the social, intellectual, creative, and economic fabric of the communities across Barrie and the region. It is a central meeting place, a destination for visitors from across the province, and a catalyst for downtown revitalization contributing to the success and vitality of this area.