Mission & History
Arts on the Horizon was founded as a professional, non-profit theatre company with a specific focus of providing high-quality performances and education programs for an audience of young people ages 0 to 6 years old and their families.
We strive:
- For excellence and innovation in theatre for the very young.
- To produce and present high-quality theatre for young audiences and their families.
- To focus on clear and accessible storytelling.
We believe:
- The arts play an important role in the life of a child, and the results can be seen through the development of their critical thinking skills, self-confidence, and independence.
- In arts education, and our need as a society to develop and foster the creativity of children.
- That a practical, multi-dimensional and active arts experience is just as important as exposure to the arts in the development of a child’s overall education. This includes hands-on activities as well as performances for diverse young audiences and their families.
We aim:
- To be a safe, creative place for families to gather and children to play.
- To develop innovative work for very young children as a leader in the larger Theatre for the Very Young Audiences (TVYA) community
- To partner with schools in Northern Virginia, as well as local businesses and organizations in the DC metro area, in order to expose more young people to theatre.
- To provide arts education programming for young people not only in-front of the curtain, but beyond the curtain and throughout their lives.
- To make our programs inclusive, accessible and affordable to all children.
Arts on the Horizon values intelligent, innovative, and original work for diverse young audiences that is accessible, affordable, inspiring and fun.
History:
Arts on the Horizon’s inaugural show, Drumming with Dishes, opened in May 2011 in Alexandria, VA. It has since been performed on stages all over the DC metro area. It was also selected to be a part of the national One Theatre World festival in Cleveland, OH in May 2013. The 2012-13 season was the company's first full season of shows. Under the Canopy, which was produced in the 2013-14 season, was their first piece geared specifically for children ages 0 – 2. Blossom's Rainbow premiered in March 2015 and was a part of the 2015 National Cherry Blossom Festival. In 2016, Arts on the Horizon was nominated for The John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company. The Virginia Commission for the Arts awarded them a "50 for 50" Arts Inspiration Award in the category of "Emerging Arts Organization." Two of our productions were nominated for Helen Hayes awards in 2018 in the "Outstanding Production - Theatre for Young Audiences" category. Arts on the Horizon has produced 14 original shows and the momentum is continuing with 5 shows currently in development for upcoming seasons.
We have the utmost respect for children and want, what may be their first theatrical performance, to entertain them, challenge them, spark creativity and enhance the imaginative play in which many children this age engage. Our performances are designed to take place in an intimate setting where children not only feel comfortable to learn and explore, but are an integral part of the performance.
For more information about our previous productions, please explore our Past Shows section.
Educational Programs:
Our first class was called Stories Come to Life which started in February 2010. We’ve grown leaps and bounds since then. Each education program provides targeted exploration of themes and ideas in order to help children enhance their language development, socialization, and fine and gross motor skills; all within a meaningful, nurturing environment where children can develop their sense of self and increase their knowledge and understanding of the world around them.
For more information on how Arts Education impacts a child's development, please explore our Education & Outreach section.
Arts on the Horizon’s inaugural show, Drumming with Dishes, opened in May 2011 in Alexandria, VA. It has since been performed on stages all over the DC metro area. It was also selected to be a part of the national One Theatre World festival in Cleveland, OH in May 2013. The 2012-13 season was the company's first full season of shows. Under the Canopy, which was produced in the 2013-14 season, was their first piece geared specifically for children ages 0 – 2. Blossom's Rainbow premiered in March 2015 and was a part of the 2015 National Cherry Blossom Festival. In 2016, Arts on the Horizon was nominated for The John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company. The Virginia Commission for the Arts awarded them a "50 for 50" Arts Inspiration Award in the category of "Emerging Arts Organization." Two of our productions were nominated for Helen Hayes awards in 2018 in the "Outstanding Production - Theatre for Young Audiences" category. Arts on the Horizon has produced 14 original shows and the momentum is continuing with 5 shows currently in development for upcoming seasons.
We have the utmost respect for children and want, what may be their first theatrical performance, to entertain them, challenge them, spark creativity and enhance the imaginative play in which many children this age engage. Our performances are designed to take place in an intimate setting where children not only feel comfortable to learn and explore, but are an integral part of the performance.
For more information about our previous productions, please explore our Past Shows section.
Educational Programs:
Our first class was called Stories Come to Life which started in February 2010. We’ve grown leaps and bounds since then. Each education program provides targeted exploration of themes and ideas in order to help children enhance their language development, socialization, and fine and gross motor skills; all within a meaningful, nurturing environment where children can develop their sense of self and increase their knowledge and understanding of the world around them.
For more information on how Arts Education impacts a child's development, please explore our Education & Outreach section.
