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The Center for the Arts of Greater Manassas/Prince
William County sponsors theatrical productions for children
and adults, teaches arts classes, promotes visual arts
and provides community outreach programs for local youth.
Founded in 1984 by a group of artists and art lovers,
the Center aims to enrich the quality of life in the
Northern Virginia suburbs through arts performance and
education. A theater, an art gallery and classrooms
are located in the historic Candy Factory building in
Old Town Manassas, at 9419 Battle Street.
The level of programming at the Center for the Arts
has increased dramatically with our move to the Old
Hopkins Candy Factory in November of 2002. This three
story historic brick building was owned by the Caton
Merchant family of Merchant’s, Inc. It was donated
to the City of Manassas by Merchants, Inc., specifically
to house the Center for the Arts and expanded cultural
activities. The Candy Factory houses a theater in the
round, classroom and office space and an art gallery.
Restoration of the Candy Factory began in August 2001
and was completed in October 2002.
FIRST FLOOR
The first floor of the Candy Factory is the most public
area of the new facility. Not only does the first floor
house a reception area for the Center – for welcoming
and directing visitors, but it is configured as a gallery
to host rotating art shows and exhibits. Art lectures
and slide presentations, recitals and musical concerts
are easily accommodated in this space. The gallery is
the area most often in demand as rental space by outside
entities for civic and government activities, weddings,
corporate meetings and receptions. The open space lends
itself to both banquet type seating as well as conference
type seating. A service kitchen facilitates its use
for receptions.
SECOND FLOOR
The second floor is the heart of the Center’s
operations, housing classrooms and administrative offices.
Multipurpose classrooms located on the second floor
expand the variety of classes the Center offers for
both adults and children.
THIRD FLOOR
The adaptability of the theater space allows theatrical
presentations utilizing traditional auditorium seating
as well as seating in the round. The third floor provides
additional space for weddings, corporate meetings and
receptions, lectures, poetry readings, recitals
and chamber concerts.
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