Sedona’s artists and art lovers should prepare themselves for an upcoming discussion on the future of the Sedona Arts Center’s Art Barn.

The former Jordan apple packing shed, which was built by Jim Farley around 1939, was purchased by Canyon Kiva, the forerunner of SAC, in 1958 and subsequently used for community performances, events and art shows.

“We are in the final stages of developing a campus master plan that re-envisions what the Art Barn, and the rest of our campus, can be,” SAC executive director Julie Richard wrote in SAC’s October 2022 newsletter. “This is a very exciting process and we hope to have firm plans by the end of this fiscal year [June 2023] … In advance of the master plan, we will be moving our offices to the gallery building, so you may see some construction activity wrapping up in the next few months.”

SAC completed the move into its new offices in January, but the renovations to the Art Barn are still in the planning phase.

“No final decisions have been made,” Richard said, adding that it was “too early in the process” to specify what elements that Art Barn might gain or lose as part of the redevelopment. “The building has served us well, but its infrastructure presents significant challenges that have been studied by Arts Center leadership for decades. Many ideas have been considered over the years but none have been brought to fruition for one reason or another. While we are still in the early stages, we want to assure the community that every decision we make will carefully consider the building’s history, as well as its potential to inspire future creativity.”

Richards did not specify what infrastructure challenges the Art Barn presents, apart from stating that staff are “looking at the campus overall” and assessing “accessibility and functionality.” She declined to provide a copy of SAC’s completed campus master plan, stating it was an “internal document.”

SAC previously received a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to fund the office relocation and the completion of the master planning process. Richard said that SAC will be applying for additional grants to cover the Art Barn renovations “when the time is appropriate.”

The owners of the Best Western Arroyo Roble hotel adjacent to the Art Barn are currently planning a renovation of the hotel property that will include an arts plaza that can be shared with SAC for special events. While speaking before the Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 1, Richard had mentioned to the commission that a previous concept for the Best Western redesign had included a small amphitheater that was later dropped from the plans.

“Musical, spoken word, dance and small theatrical performances could be a possibility,” Richard said of the Art Barn’s redesign. “Probably not to the extent that it was used previously — community theatre.”

The Sedona Historical Society and Historic Preservation Commission have not yet weighed in on the renovation proposal. Although the structure is well over 50 years old, making it eligible for listing as a historic landmark, it has not been landmarked by the HPC, which would impose additional code requirements on future alterations.

“While there are many reasons that a given property may not be landmarked, my understanding is that the numerous alterations to this specific structure have made it ineligible for landmarking,” SHS Executive Director and HPC Acting Chairman Nate Meyers said. “The most notable alteration is the 1971 addition of the theatre on the west-facing facade; others include enclosing of some original doors, addition of new doors and entryways and smaller additions on the south side.”

Meyers noted in a letter to SAC on the Art Barn’s landmark status that “the building bears two plaques which speak to its status as a historic resource. The presence of the two plaques, however, does not bestow an official designation on the Art Barn.”

Richard said SAC will have more information to share on the planning process in March.