Welcome to the ARTfactory!

Take a tour of the ARTfactory! (formerly Center for the Arts)

We are a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that provides programs in the arts for ages 5 and above.

The ARTfactory was founded in 1984 by a group of artists and art lovers with the goal of enriching the quality of life in the Northern Virginia region. In 2002, the ARTfactory relocated to the Hopkins Candy Factory building in Manassas and has become the cornerstone of the downtown arts community. Currently, we offer an art gallery, theatre arts, visual arts education, dance classes, Arts on the Go™, summer camps and SummerSounds Concert Series.

Interested in attending a theatrical production or taking one of our classes? Be sure to read our Cancellation and Refund policy here.

Art Gallery

The Caton Merchant Family Gallery exhibitions feature local and regional artists. Each exhibit includes an artist reception to help connect the community to the artists. The Gallery also hosts an annual adjudicated high school student art competition that includes poetry and wearable art.

Theatre Arts

The ARTfactory is home to two theatre companies and one community theatre group specifically for senior citizens.

Pied Piper Theatre

Pied Piper Theatre has been nationally recognized by Stage Directions Magazine. It has a reputation as the region’s premiere youth-oriented theatre program. Students ranging in age from 8-18 receive hands-on training in all aspects of musical theatre and perform in 3 productions each season.

Rooftop Productions

Rooftop Productions is our community theatre company for adults. It consists of volunteers who perform multiple productions each season. Each season includes at least two full productions as well as a Mystery Dinner Theater.

Past Time Prime Time Players

Past Time Prime Time Players (PTPT) is senior acting classes and productions that are coordinated through the local senior citizen center. PTPT performances are coordinated based on the experience of the participants and their desire to perform for the community.

In addition, the ARTfactory offers classes in theatre arts, including How to Audition, Basic Stage Lighting and Sound Design, Improvisation, Broadway Dance, and Voice.

Visual Arts Education

Classes for all ages include watercolor, acrylics, pastels, oils, drawing, cartooning, graphic design, journaling and book making, photography, and sculpture. Specialty classes are also offered seasonally such as gingerbread workshops and fiber arts. The ARTfactory offers classes in meditative art forms and has partnered with Windy Knoll Farm in Nokesville to offer classes in a more rustic setting. 

Dance Classes

We have ballroom dance classes for all skill levels that focus on the classics as well as more modern dance forms such as Line dance. Take the class by yourself or bring a partner! Looking to just come out and dance? Our Sunday Dances are monthly drop-in sessions offering a different dance style each month. Instructional lesson included for a nominal fee or participate in the open dance.

Summer Art and Theatre Camps

Camps are designed to enrich and instruct children ages 5-18 in both theatre and visual arts. Camps last one to three weeks and are half day or full day camps. Our summer theatre camps have been recognized by Washingtonian magazine for their creative and challenging programs and were voted “Best of Virginia” in 2018 by Virginia Living magazine. Each camp concludes with a performance for the community. Art camps vary widely in instruction ad topics. Camps conclude with an art show and reception for family and friends.

Arts on the Go™

“Biomes of the World” module and accompanying materials

This trademarked STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) educational programming consists of modules that fully integrated the STEAM curriculum while addressing the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL)s. These modules are designed and built by the ARTfactory staff, then provided to the local schools at no cost to them. Each module stays in a school for 2 weeks before moving to the next school. Arts on the Go ™ is funded by corporate sponsors and foundation grants. To learn more about this program, click here.

SummerSounds Concerts

Each summer, the ARTfactory offers up to five free outdoor concerts that highlight a variety of musical styles. The concerts are held at the Harris Pavilion and sponsored by Micron Foundation and the City of Manassas. The staff consults with local musicians and the Virginia Commission for the Arts’ Touring Program to select a variety of performances to enrich the community. View the upcoming performances here.

Meet the Staff

Talya Conroy
Executive Director
Kimberly Kemp
Director of Theatre Arts
Mieke Trudeau
Director of Administration
Ahryel Tinker
Education Director
Jordan Exum
Gallery Director

Hours of Operation

Tuesday-Saturday 10 am – 5 pm
Sunday 12 pm – 5 pm

Closed: New Years Day,  Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving & Black Friday, Dec. 24 & 25 

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