Creative Barrie

06/01/2026

Local artists, businesses, and organizations are invited to apply to participate in this year's Culture Days! Disciplines can include visual arts, dance, theatre, music, history and heritage, architecture and design, culinary arts, craft, or storytelling.

Submit your proposals by June 22. Visit www.barrie.ca/CultureDays for full info.

05/26/2026

Applications are open for musicians interested in the 2026 Emerging Artist Program. For non-musicians, there are also summer employment opportunities in administration, tech, and production. Learn about the program:

Barrie's Emerging Artist Program is a music industry incubator initiative, operated by the Canadian Musicians Cooperative each summer. The program capitalizes on the Barrie Street Performer program's successful track record in launching musical careers. 

05/08/2026

Attention artists: you're invited to submit existing original artwork for the 2026 Cabinets to Canvas program, open now! For program details, eligibility requirements, application instructions, and to register for the virtual information session, visit www.barrie.ca/GraffitiAbatementArtwork

05/04/2026

We want YOU to be part of Culture Days! Individuals, organizations and businesses are invited to submit proposals by June 22 for activities or events to help celebrate Culture Days in Barrie this year.

Culture Days is Canada's largest cross-country celebration of arts, culture, and creativity.

Each year, the City of Barrie is proud to celebrate Culture Days, a Canada-wide celebration designed to catalyze and inspire public participation in arts and culture. Culture Days programs invite the public to show appreciation for arts and culture in their own communities and nationwide. The Cul...

04/28/2026

We're inviting local artists to submit work for the 2026 Cabinets to Canvas program. This initiative transforms traffic cabinets into vibrant public art, helping beautify the city and reduce graffiti. The deadline to submit proposals is May 22. Selected artists will be compensated, and installations will take place this fall.

Learn more and register for the May 12 info session at www.barrie.ca/GraffitiAbatementArtwork

Featured artwork by Monica Loney at Ardagh & Hawkins.

Creative Barrie

04/28/2026

The clock is ticking for local musicians looking to take their shot at the Meridian Place stage.

The Downtown Barrie BIA is calling on artists across Barrie and the region to submit to the Troubadour Festival 2026 Local Opener Showcase, with the deadline fast approaching on Friday, May 1 at midnight.

With over 100 submissions already received, momentum is building and competition is fierce for what has quickly become one of the most exciting opportunities for emerging artists in the region.

Each festival date will kick off at 5:00 PM with the Local Opener Showcase, featuring three selected performers — solo artists, duos, or bands — chosen through an independent jury process. Selected artists will perform live on the Meridian Place stage, opening for nationally recognized headliners in front of thousands of music fans along Barrie’s waterfront.

“This is a real opportunity for artists to share the stage with major acts and experience a professional festival production environment,” said Chas Hay, Programming Partner at Hey Bear Productions. “We can’t wait to discover the next standout performers from our region.”

The opportunity represents more than just a performance — it’s a chance to gain exposure, build a following, and be part of a festival that has been recognized as one of Ontario’s Top 100 Festivals.

Visit our blog (link in our bio) for full submission details!

04/21/2026

Missed Ty the Poetess at Barrie City Council last week? Watch her poetry reading on the City's YouTube channel:

The meeting agenda is available at https://www.barrie.ca/government-news/mayor-council-committees/meetings (direct link: https://bit.ly/41rvpR6 ). Visit http...

04/14/2026

Join City Council and the City's Poet Laureate, Tyneisha Thomas, AKA Ty the Poetess for a special poetry reading at the April 15th City Council meeting to celebrate National Poetry Month: http://www.barrie.ca/PoetLaureate

04/13/2026

We're proud to distribute $235,000 in funding through the 2026 Arts & Culture Investment Program to support the incredible work of 17 non-profit arts and culture organizations! Details:

Promotes and assists in the development of the arts in all its diversity for the enjoyment and benefit of all Barrie residents and visitors.

03/04/2026

Reminder to all artists: Brightening Barriers application deadline is March 13! This year's theme, Rhythms of the City, explores the patterns, movement, and energy that shape the City of Barrie. Visit barrie.ca/BrighteningBarriers for more information & application details.