It is located on the City of Burlington waterfront in close proximity to Spencer Smith Park.

It was formed by several active visual arts co-operatives and guilds in the Burlington region.

The gallery expanded and it started to become a public art gallery with exhibitions, publications, and a collection (begun in 1983) of contemporary Canadian ceramic art and educational programs.

The art gallery operates a 4,100-square-metre (44,000 sq ft) facility with exhibition spaces that include the 400-square-metre (4,300 sq ft) AIC Gallery, the 40-square-metre (430 sq ft) F. R. (Bob) Perry Gallery, a collection atrium, multiple display cases throughout the facility for works in the collection, and a 225-square-metre (2,420 sq ft) exterior courtyard for site-specific exhibitions.

Meeting rooms, gallery shop, café and offices account for 1,400 square metres (15,000 sq ft).