The MacLaren Art Centre moved to its new, state-of-the-art facility in September 2001. As part of the new building design, the Rotary Clubs of Barrie supported the addition of “The Rotary Education Centre’. This space houses various workshops, lectures arid school tours. The pursuit of quality educational programming is the primary function of their Education Department, which serves both traditional and non-traditional audiences, Programs are developed to broaden their audience base, to make the arts accessible to a diverse population and to meet the needs of specific community members: children, youth, adults, seniors, families, students, teachers, artists, tourists and the casual visitor, as well as specialized audiences such as members of the Francophone community, the Indigenous community and culturally diverse audiences. The Education Department develops a wide range of interpretive and hands-on activities that provide an enriched environment for learning.