
Does she plan on being open to the public or is the area to be personally used for her studio?
If you do not have your degree in hand, you are not able to do much of anything on a commercial basis at all. There are building code laws that require permits, bonded & licensed contractors, sub contractors plus buying at wholesale requires a business license in most states if not all.
If the area is not going to be open to the public, you must have building permits for any alterations, additions that are STRUCTURAL. Followed up with an inspector.
Your friend must research and see if the area she wants to do this is zoned to operate personally in house or to the public also. Good luck!
Creatively TRB Studio