The Old Southworth Library could see new life as an art or education center through a committee tasked with deciding what to do with the building.

The Old Southworth Library Committee has been approached by an art collective interested in using the space to host classes and provide a venue for artists without a dedicated studio, and by a Friends Academy official working to host classes for homeschooled children and adults, the committee revealed at its August 14 meeting.

The committee aims to develop a plan for the structure, built in 1889. In June 2016, Town Meeting members voted against selling it. The building has remained vacant since last summer, when Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust, which had been renting the building since 1986, moved to a new location on Chase Road.

Board members want to find a suitable party to rent the building, but will revisit the idea of selling it if a lease does not work out. At Monday’s meeting, committee members debated the best way to structure a lease agreement, and whether or not the lessee should be on the hook for an estimated $280,000 in required maintenance work.

“It’s all about how you set the lease terms,” said Town Administrator David Cressman.

The board decided to draft three different requests for proposals ahead of the August 28 meeting with the Select Board. One version would stipulate that the town would assume no financial responsibility in the building, leaving accessibility upgrades in the hands of an interested lessee.

In a second proposal, the town would cover the costs of accessibility upgrades, but would require a lessee that can demonstrate a solid financial footing before signing a lease. A third proposal would be for the property’s purchase from the town in the event the other two proposals are unsuccessful.

Cressman noted the two pitches discussed at the meeting could create a situation where the town creates competition with the school system, the university’s education programs, or with other artists’ studios. Although not a legal issue, the board would need to decide whether or not they wished to proceed in that direction.

“I’ve talked to people in [Padanaram Village], and they tell me merchants are very happy to add to what they have there,” said board member Enid Silva of the art collective’s idea.

Board members did not decide on a lessee or buyer at the meeting. Interested parties can still contact Cressman at cressmandg@town.dartmouth.ma.us, or (508) 910-1813 to express interest in the building.