Kane County Center for the Arts signs contract with Kanab City to begin planning for arts campus
- Ty Gant
- Apr 2
- 3 min read
In early March 2025, Kanab City signed a contract with the board of the Kane County Center for the Arts (KCCA) regarding property on 100 E, between the Kanab City Library and the SC Broadband building.
Left to right, photos by Ty Gant:
“By definition, something as old and familiar as this building has some nostalgic and historic value,” says KCCA co-founder Mariah Wheeler, speaking on giving the former power building a new life as a facility on the KCCA’s planned arts campus.
Kanab City crews and volunteers cleared the property housing the old power facility.
According to KCCA co-founders Mariah Wheeler and Johnathan Kerr, the agreement sets terms preserving the property for a potential arts campus that is in the works; if the KCCA can demonstrate progress in planning and financing the first phase of the campus, Kanab City will reserve the property for up to five years. Kanab City staff and volunteers recently cleaned the property and cleared some of the growth, opening it up for planning.
“We had the idea for the KCCA as we worked with the local high school theatre,” says Kerr, “we’ve both had kids in the program, we’re both really passionate about it.” The KCCA was formed in early 2024, with their Canyons Calling four concert series that year. The organization consists of a volunteer working board.
When asked what the initial plans were for the Arts Center, Kerr stated, “Ideally I would describe it more as an arts campus … the first phase is flexible, we’re working with the city to determine what the early possibilities are, but we’re hoping to have multiple buildings for different purposes … The old race track used to be near there, where a lot of people would congregate for cultural events, and it’s fun to pay homage to that.” “It’s a good thing to keep a historical location like this,” said Wheeler, “it fits our mission to keep something cultural. We’ll continue to hold our summertime events, our concerts and stuff … but we hope to create a space where other groups can take part in it like their own space, with that flexibility for the community to grow these groups with their own interests.”
The KCCA is planning for meeting and classroom space, an office building with studios and creative spaces for events like pottery classes and another main building for exhibition and performance spaces, with the potential for black box performance space. Which space will be located where, and how the old power facility that remains on the property can best be integrated into the plans, will rely on consultation with architectural firms - of which there are already three in consideration for the project.
The KCCA’s stated priority is keeping the funding within the community as much as possible and considering local design feedback. “We want to keep talking to the arts board, the Symphony of the Canyons, the School District … we’re trying to grow a sense of community, not looking to one up or edge anybody out.” Says Kerr.
This year’s concert series from the Center is planned for Jacob Hamblin Park, with an intention to highlight the upcoming development of the campus. “We’re bringing it closer to home.” Kerr states.
As the KCCA continues to advance the plan for the center, in compliance with the timeline contracted with Kanab City, the board plans to open more avenues of feedback from the community; more information can be found at kanecountyarts.org, as well as on the Kane County Arts Facebook and Instagram pages. Board meetings are open to the public and are typically scheduled for the second Friday of every month, usually at 3 p.m. in the general room at the Kanab City Library.
