Dairy Barn Arts Center

The Dairy Barn Arts Center is a National Register of Historic Places landmark in Athens, Ohio, housed in a Georgian Revival dairy barn built in 1914 for the Athens State Hospital. When the facility's dairy operation ceased in 1977, community advocates led by Harriet Anderson preserved the building and established it as a nonprofit arts center in 1978. The venue offers more than 10,000 square feet of versatile indoor space alongside expansive outdoor grounds with front and back lawns and a one-mile trail with an amphitheater. The Sauber Gallery, spanning more than 5,000 square feet, accommodates up to 250 guests for dining and dancing, while The Loft on the second floor seats up to 150 and divides into two rooms for flexible configurations. Rentals include tables and chairs, a sound system, an HDMI-compatible projector, a catering kitchen, and wireless internet; optional full-service bar service is available through The Neon Cow Bar. The center is internationally recognized as the home of Quilt National, the largest and longest-running juried exhibition of art quilts in the United States, which has drawn more than 100,000 visitors to Athens from around the world since 1979.