Eden Prairie now has an art center.

The City Council last week acquired the building, donated by the Roger Sampson family, and plans to turn it into the new center. It is scheduled to open next January.

"This is a dream that our community has had for a very, very long time," said Council Member Sherry Butcher. "We have a community of artists who have looked for a venue like this to teach, to exhibit and to learn from other artists."

Eden Prairie's Arts and Culture Commission recommended that the city accept the building, a 5,500-square-foot, single-story structure located at 7650 Equitable Drive, overlooking Purgatory Creek. "The Sampson building has a large, versatile space that can accommodate a range of classes," Commission Chairwoman Ann Rorem said.

The center's mission will be to enhance the city's quality of life and foster creativity by giving people of all ages access to the arts, Rorem said.

Mayor Phil Young and council members thanked the Sampson family for the building. But they also expressed concern about adding art center costs to the city budget. They said they are counting on private fundraising to offset some of the operating costs, estimated at more than $100,000 a year.

For residents who may say the city does not need an art center, said Council Member Jon Duckstad, "I am hopeful that our funding donation program runs well."

It will cost $326,000 to retrofit the building for public use. It was formerly a studio used by the Sampson family.

The cost to operate the center would be about $114,400 in 2009, according to an Art Center Task Force report by the Arts and Culture Commission.

The first year, the city could expect to recoup about $36,000 by collecting class fees, renting the facility and selling memberships, the report said. Fees would cover the cost of all classes.

The building will need more parking, another bathroom, a kiln, tables and chairs, and supplies, among other things. City Manager Scott Neal said the city has about $400,000 in an account from development fees that will pay for the capital improvements.

The operating budget includes $39,000 next year for an art center director. Young recommended that the city's Parks and Recreation Division open the center with current staff rather than add an art center director to the payroll, but the council did not make a final decision on that issue last week.

Parks and Recreation Director Jay Lothammer said the city will need a part-time director with an arts background to select programs and recruit instructors for the new center.

Artists have already begun bringing their art work to City Hall to seek teaching positions at the new center, Lothammer said.

"It is quite the endeavor to do this well," Lothammer said. "It's hard to see us fully taking this in-house. I would hate to not have somebody who is well-qualified in this particular area."

The director would also be the key person in charge of fundraising, Lothammer said.

Laurie Blake • 612-673-1711