About Workhouse

The Workhouse Arts Center, a program of the Lorton Arts Foundation, provides essential visual and performing arts studio and exhibition space as well as engaging arts education programs for people of all ages and artistic abilities. Set on 55 acres of land in the historic D.C. Workhouse and Reformatory, the Workhouse provides a home for more than 150 of the regions finest professional and emerging artists as well as cooperative studios, performance and theatre venues, dedicated gallery space, and event facilities.

Our Mission
The mission of the Workhouse Arts Center is to enrich the lives of all within its reach by creating a vibrant cultural community that fosters a diverse offering of arts, education, social, and entertainment experiences for people of all ages.

Project Overview
Phase I of the Workhouse Arts Center’s construction encompasses the redevelopment of historic structures for artist studios, exhibition spaces and performing arts and event facilities; community and professional arts education programs, and corporate/community event spaces. Currently ten of the 30 historic buildings are open to the public.

Phase II of construction includes the build out of a theater-in the-raw space, an events center, outdoor event facilities at the Music Barn, and a 40 unit, artist-in-residence colony, which will provide a much needed live-work arrangement for artists.

A former gymnasium has been selected to be transformed into a studio theater with seating for up to 300 people. The building adjacent to the theater, as well as the intervening courtyard, will be used for theatrical support and rehearsal purposes. The original Workhouse cafeteria will be converted into an events center with ample space to host solo and group exhibitions by selected artists. In addition, the public can rent the space to stage private events accommodating groups of up to 600 people. The Music Barn amphitheater area will be graded to host outdoor events.

Future Plans
As the Workhouse Arts Center grows, a 35,000 square foot, state-of-the-art performing arts complex will be constructed by renovating and combining several Workhouse buildings located directly behind what will become the events center. Dance venues, performing arts education and other musical performing arts activities will be the focus of this project. Additional plans include garden areas, recreation, restaurant and entertainment facilities, and a history museum. When completed, the proposed arts center will occupy approximately 294,000 square feet of arts facilities and approximately 40 acres of open space.

The Workhouse Arts Center is supported in part by:
The National Endowment for the Arts
The Arts Council of Fairfax County
The Virginia Commission for the Arts