MASSIVart Leading Community Engagement Events in Barrie for the City’s Cultural Master Plan Update and Public Art Strategy

Nestled at Kempenfelt Bay, the City of Barrie is a thriving community celebrated for its rich history, natural beauty, and strong community spirit. Committed to fostering an environment where culture and creativity flourish, Barrie has become a magnet for residents and visitors alike.

Barrie is entering an exciting period of growth and renewal, and with this, the City has partnered with MASSIVart to update its current Culture Plan, “Building a Creative Future,” and outline a cultural and creative future through the Cultural Master Plan Update and Public Art Strategy.

 
Cultural planning in Ontario is defined as a “place-based” approach to planning and development, which involves identifying and mapping a community’s cultural resources and then developing a plan to support and manage those resources. This initiative aims to shape the City’s cultural landscape over the next decade by guiding decisions, policies, programs and investments to enhance the local creative sector. 
 

 

Innovative Cultural Planning Strategies with MASSIVart

Set for May to July 2024, MASSIVart will lead community engagement in Barrie as part of the project. This initiative is about more than delivering new public artwork and cultural experiences—it aims to amplify Barrie’s community voices, foster active participation, and shape the cultural narrative. It’s a significant step towards making Barrie a more vibrant, inclusive, and endlessly inspiring place for all.

Instead of inviting people to a standard community consultation meeting, MASSIVart’s engagement strategy aims to meet communities in spaces where they already gather. This approach helps to bring more participants into the conversations around art and culture, ensuring that the plan is tailored to meet Barrie’s community’s unique needs and ambitions.
 

Harnessing Barrie’s Cultural Strengths

 
Barrie’s Cultural Master Plan Update aims to find ways to harness and showcase the City’s unique cultural strengths. A forward-thinking creative strategy supports the long-term viability of cultural initiatives, allowing them to stay relevant and adapt to a rapidly changing world. For Barrie, this means building a dynamic, sustainable cultural ecosystem that values creativity, innovation, and inclusivity, making the City a cultural development leader.
 

 

Special Pop-Up Engagements Schedule

 
A series of special pop-up engagements are on the horizon, with dates set for June 11th and June 15th at farmers’ markets, community centres, and libraries, among other spots. A special engagement night specially dedicated to Barrie’s creative community is also planned for later in May. 

This partnership signifies a pivotal moment in Barrie’s cultural and artistic journey. Centred around inclusivity and community involvement, the Cultural Master Plan Update and Public Art Strategy project is set to propel Barrie into a new era characterized by a rich cultural tapestry and widespread accessibility to art and creativity for everyone.