Hylton Performing Arts Center

The '''Hylton Performing Arts Center''' is a prominent cultural institution located in Northern Virginia, affiliated with George Mason University's College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA). Spanning 102,000 square feet, the center serves as a hub for the community, offering diverse performances and programs aimed at stimulating and transforming the region's cultural and economic vitality. Its mission is to present high-quality and artistically excellent offerings to inspire, educate, enrich, and enhance the community. ===History=== The Hylton Performing Arts Center's journey from a dream to reality began in 2007 with the commencement of construction on the community arts center. The facility was created through a partnership between Prince William County, the City of Manassas, George Mason University, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and generous contributions from private donors and local businesses. The center's dedication and grand opening took place in 2010, marking a significant milestone in the region's cultural landscape. The center's original building, dedicated on May 1, 2010, featured the 1,123-seat Merchant Hall, an elegantly styled opera house with a 100-foot stage and orchestra pit, the flexible Gregory Family Theater, and the Buchanan Partners Art Gallery. Over the years, the center's programming expanded to include the Hylton Presents series, Hylton Family Series, Matinee Idylls, American Roots series, and a robust season from the Hylton Center Arts Partners. Educational programming at the center draws thousands of school children each year, and the Veterans and the Arts Initiative, which began in 2015, supports the veteran community in the region and has become a national leader for arts programming of its kind. In 2019, the Hylton Center completed its original vision with the addition of the Education and Rehearsal Wing. This 17,000-square-foot expansion allows local artists and arts educators to fully facilitate the entire lifecycle of artistic creation. ===Mission and Vision=== The Hylton Performing Arts Center's mission is to enrich the region's cultural and economic vitality by offering diverse and high-quality performances and programs. Its vision is to nurture artistic excellence and engagement, striving to be the creative commons of the dynamic region, inspiring the community to express its voice by participating in the center's work as artists, audiences, and lifelong learners. ===Facilities and Programs=== The Hylton Center is known for its diverse programming, which includes series such as Hylton Presents, Hylton Family Series, Matinee Idylls Series, American Roots Series, and Hylton on the Hill. It is also home to Arts Partners and Affiliate Arts Organizations and hosts many special events and exhibitions. The center is an ideal venue for first-class performing arts and offers opportunities for community engagement through its Arts Alliance, education initiatives, and the Artist-in-Residence Program. ===Community Impact=== The Hylton Performing Arts Center is a testament to the power of community partnership in achieving a shared vision for the arts. It continues to play a significant role in the cultural development of Northern Virginia, offering a space where the arts can flourish and where the community can come together to experience and participate in a wide range of artistic endeavors.