Georgian College has moved more than two hundred students to the downtown Barrie Arch and Helen Brown Design and Digital Arts Centre. The choice to bring postsecondary education into the core of Barrie reflects Georgian’s commitment to accelerate student success as well as sustain strong community and industry connections. Considered an important component in invigorating Barrie’s downtown, Georgian’s Design and Digital Arts programs enhances the emerging creative community here. Students now also have greater possibilities for work-integrated and experiential learning as well as collaborative work with community artists.

Programs relocated to this former 17,000 sq.ft. department store include; Digital Photography and Imaging, Digital Video, Graphic Design, and Graphic Design Production. A much needed face-lift has refreshed both the interior and exterior with the high ceilings, generous natural light and flexible multi-purpose open space that facilitates great ideas. Space configuration and design emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary study and boundary crossing between programs. A variety of teaching models are easily accommodated in a multipurpose teaching studio of 3,000ft², a digital studio of 2,250ft², and photos studios measuring 500 and 1,400ft². All learning spaces are equipped with flexible power and data supply as well as multimedia presentation systems. In between spaces provide a variety of soft and hard, open, and semi-closed seating configurations that offer places for socializing, informal study and quiet relaxation.