MP Patrick Brown Announces Investment in the MacLaren Art Centre

December 08, 2011

BARRIE, Ontario, December 8, 2011 – Simcoe County residents and visitors will continue to have access to works of art at the MacLaren Art Centre, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada. This was announced today by Patrick Brown, Member of Parliament (Barrie), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

With this funding, the MacLaren Art Centre will upgrade its gallery and collection storage spaces. The upgrade will ensure that works of art are exhibited and stored properly and enable the gallery to improve the quality and standards of exhibition programming for the community.

“Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to invest in important heritage organizations such as the MacLaren Art Centre,” said Minister Moore. “By improving these facilities, our Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen our economy and support arts, culture, and heritage.”

“It is terrific that the Government of Canada is supporting needed upgrades to arts and heritage organizations,” said Mr. Brown. “These enhancements will ensure that the community can enjoy diverse works of art and a greater selection of exhibits.”

“We are grateful to the Government of Canada for this very generous support,” said Carolyn Bell Farrell, Executive Director. “Strict environmental controls are critical to conserving the 26,000 works in our collection. In partnership with the City of Barrie and supported by a capital grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, we will be able to assume critical upgrades to our failing HVAC system and meet museum standards.”

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $240,000 through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund. This program of the Department of Canadian Heritage seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentation or exhibition. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing arts, visual arts, media arts, museum collections and heritage displays.