MANSFIELD - The holidays have turned out to be a season of giving for a local arts group, which announced a $1.1 million land donation from a businessman as a possible future site for its proposed arts center.

Mansfield Music and Arts Society has accepted a gift of land valued at $1.1 million from Brockton-based land developer Sam Patel. Located near the intersection of routes 140 and 106 in Mansfield, the land donation comes in the middle of the arts organization's annual campaign.

"It's certainly a very valuable donation for us to receive," MMAS Executive Director Ken Butler said. "In difficult times, every little bit helps ... but a very big lot helps even more!"

The 10-acre parcel is off Route 140 in an undeveloped area between Route 106 and West Street. The land backs up to Wood Avenue and Creeden Street, and does not include two parcels on Chauncy Street also owned by Patel.

According to Butler, Patel, who could not be reached for comment Tuesday, had decided to donate the land to an area non-profit, and MMAS seemed like a perfect fit. "The initial call was definitely a shock," he said, adding that the two sides worked for months to finalize the deal.

Butler said the arts group is examining various potentials for using the land, including leasing or using it as the location for an art and culture center.

The organization previously had hoped to obtain ownership of a piece of town-owned land for an arts center, and a town meeting vote directed selectmen to sell the land to a non-profit music and arts organization. However, the land transfer never took place.

"We'll have a lot to discuss (at the group's next meeting)," he said.

The site is zoned partially for residential use, Butler said, but about 7 acres is zoned commercially.

Butler noted the group has been trying for several years to locate a facility in the downtown Mansfield area.

"This gift of land is a tremendous asset and will assist us greatly in meeting our mission of fostering the arts in Southeastern Massachusetts," he said.

MMAS operates the Black Box Theater, a 60-seat performance space on Crocker Street that hosts more than 50 performances a year, the MMAS BackStage Concert Series and creates arts education programs for children and adults. The group also coordinates an annual art festival and awards a scholarship.

"Obviously we're thrilled that Mr. Patel saw the value in what MMAS provides to the community, and chose to make such a substantial donation to our organization," Butler said. "We are very grateful for his generosity."