Downtown Barrie location
Launch your creative career through our award-winning Design and Visual Arts programs, led by faculty with extensive industry experience and connections. The downtown Barrie location is minutes away from the waterfront. You’ll learn in our fully equipped studios using industry standard tools, and you’ll have the opportunity to network with leaders in your field and real-world clients.
Many of our students and alumni have been recognized with awards from both provincial and national organizations, and have landed positions with major galleries, studios and firms.
Georgian’s new dynamic downtown location
Georgian’s new downtown location will serve as a vibrant hub for its expanded program offerings, focusing on creative programming in design, visual arts, and emerging innovative technologies. Learners will have access to services that will help energize the downtown core and animate the neighbourhood in fresh, dynamic ways.
This location will be designed to enhance your learning experience, accommodating up to 800 learners, creating increased opportunities for hands-on learning, collaborative partnerships, and immersive, one-of-a-kind educational experiences. This new presence will also distribute Georgian learners more broadly throughout Barrie, enabling them to live, work, and study across a wider range of neighbourhoods while deepening their connection to the community.
FAQs
Learners of Georgian’s downtown Barrie location will continue to have access to everything on the Barrie Campus, including student services, athletics, residence and more.
To better support learners studying at the downtown location, two new Barrie Transit bus routes will be added to help accommodate the increased number of learners.
In addition, we’ll be introducing an on-demand 10-seat shuttle bus that will transport learners between the main Barrie Campus and the downtown location. We’re working toward ensuring accessible, convenient transportation, and will share further details as they become available.
Transportation is included in semesterly fees.
The Downtown Location will be ready to welcome learners for the start of the fall 2026 semester. Updates will continue to be provided.
Get your certificate or diploma in downtown Barrie
At Georgian, you’ll have a transformative experience, one that connects you to the skills you need, the people who inspire you, the mindset to succeed, and the confidence to thrive. Browse our academic areas below or take the Career Match quiz to find the path that’s best for you.
Art and Design Fundamentals
Learn new skills. Refine existing ones. Decide where you want to go in your art and design career. Create a portfolio to help get you there.
Digital Content Creation and Strategy
Deliver compelling messages in today’s media-rich business environment. Capture ideas and develop production skills. Explore user experience and design functionality.
Game – Design and Simulation
Bring game design and simulation to life as a video game designer. Explore the latest video game design and simulation tools and techniques. Turn game concepts into 2D and 3D experiences for PC, console, mobile and more!
Game – Development
Create digital worlds with innovative, cutting-edge technology. Be at the forefront of innovative console game development! Blend creativity, artistry and technical skills to build immersive digital realms using emerging technologies.
Graphic Design
Hands-on, project-based learning to build your portfolio. Includes a work placement and client experience. 100 per cent grad satisfaction.
Graphic Design Production
Hands-on learning in a supportive environment. Use the most current software and production techniques. Embark on an awesome career!
Hairstyling
Hands-on experience in our salon. Get your in-school hours for trade certification exam. Outstanding facilities, experienced instructors.
Honours Bachelor of Interior Design
Dream, inspire and create. This ARIDO- and IDC-recognized, hands-on program will prepare you for your career as a professional interior designer.
Interior Decorating
Experience what it’s like to work with real clients and top suppliers through studio classes, trade connections, field placement and more!
Museum and Gallery Studies
Illuminate the past. Inspire the future! Learn the foundation of all museum and gallery work. Network with museum and gallery professionals. Work with Georgian College’s The Campus Gallery and extensive art/ceramic collection. Engaged curriculum and experiential learning opportunities prepare students for their co-op placement.
Project Management – Information Technology
All industries need effective project managers. Learn the knowledge, processes, tools and techniques to become a successful project leader.
Video and Motion Graphics Production
Launch your career in video and motion graphics. Master the art of storytelling through video and motion graphics for social media, web and commercial platforms. Develop a strong technical portfolio and launch your career as a skilled video and motion graphics professional.
Visual and Digital Media Arts
Bring your artistic vision to life through visual and digital media. Unleash your creative abilities and artistic skills. Get hands-on experience with the latest digital tools – such as virtual reality – and a range of traditional media.
Not sure what career is right for you?
Use our career assessment tool to help you find the best program for your personality type.
Campus features
Georgian’s downtown Barrie location has many features and services to enhance your college experience.
As a student of Georgian’s downtown Barrie location, you’ll continue to have access to everything on the Barrie Campus, including student services, athletics, residence and more.
Services and supports
Labs and learning spaces
- State-of-the-art working and learning spaces
- High ceilings and lots of light
- Multipurpose open space
- Space to learn, collaborate, create and show the work you create in class
Connect with us
Visit us at our Get to Know Georgian event on March 3
Learn more and RSVP
Take a guided, in-person tour
of our campuses.
Book a campus tour.
Book a phone appointment
with a recruitment specialist.
Connect with a recruiter.
Join our email list for event updates, contest information and more.
Sign up for Georgian updates.
About Barrie and Simcoe County
Located in Simcoe County less than an hour north of Toronto, the vibrant city of Barrie is known for its friendly residences and four-season lifestyle. With a gorgeous waterfront on Kempenfelt Bay, nearby trails and ski hills, several shopping malls, a vast assortment of restaurants and great nightlife, there’s plenty to do when you’re not studying.
Downtown Barrie
Barrie’s downtown is the city centre, featuring specialty shops and boutiques, unique dining experiences, parks, beaches and more—all surrounded by beautiful historic buildings and more than five kilometres of breathtaking waterside scenery! Here are some of the highlights of downtown Barrie:
- Waterfront trails: perfect for walking, running, rollerblading and cycling, offering beautiful views of everything downtown Barrie has to offer
- Kempenfelt Bay: a playground for water sports like swimming, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding and wake boarding
- Endless outdoor recreational amenities: featuring a beach volleyball court, basketball court, skating rink, outdoor fitness equipment and more
- Fascinating art sculptures: standing tall along the waterfront skyline are The Spirit Catcher, Barrie’s most iconic landmark, and sister sculpture The Sea Serpent
- Year-round farmers’ market: your go-to for locally grown produce, baked goods and handmade products
Home to many cultural festivals, events and celebrations, there’s a lot of fun to be had downtown Barrie all year round with unique experiences for everyone.
Noteworthy annual events
- Winterfest (February)
- Barrie Waterfront Festival (May)
- Craft Beer & BBQ Festival (July)
- Kempenfest (July to August)
- Open Air Dunlop (July to September)
- Barrie Dragon Boat Festival (August)
Visit the Barrie Tourism website
Visit the Simcoe County Tourism website
Amenities
- Hospital: Royal Victoria Health Centre
- Groceries: Five large grocery stores and several small businesses
- Shopping: Mall, shopping plaza, vibrant downtown shopping area
- Harbour, parks, trails, nearby beaches and provincial parks
- Arenas, sports field, golf course, fitness centres, movie theatre
- Cultural centre, historic sites, farmers’ market
Partnership opportunities
Developing a partnership with Georgian College will benefit you, your employees and organization, while making a difference in the lives of students.
Access talent
- Build your workforce with students or graduates
- Strengthen the skills of future employees
- Connect with university and college-level educated students
Build and grow your business
- Pursue innovation opportunities
- Increase the skills of your workforce
- Stay up-to-date on advancements in the field
Invest in innovation
- Tailored partnerships
- Strategic philanthropy
- Exclusive sponsorships
Use Georgian services
- Host a conference or event
- Access our affordable Health and Wellness Clinics
- Use our fitness centres
Contact us
Get in touch with the downtown Barrie location
5 Ross St.
Barrie, ON
L4M 3A5
Phone: 705.722.5152
Email: recruitment@georgiancollege.ca
Which best describes you?
I’m a future student — connect with the recruitment team
I’m a current student — access student services
I’m an industry or community member — learn more about partnership opportunities with Georgian
