ArtsView: Where Creativity Takes the Stage

Looking for a place for kids to use their creative energy? ArtsView Children’s Theatre is the place for them. Located downtown on Tyler St. ArtsView offers camps, programs, and chances to perform for all ages.

The organization has evolved since its opening in 2004, but it’s mission and goals have been the same: to change lives through education, outreach, and the performing arts in Longview and the surrounding areas. Starting at a young age, ArtsView aims to teach about performing arts, foster creativity, and show their students how to expand their skillset in a way that will help them in the future. From ages 2-18, ArtsView wants to help foster community, education, and give children opportunities to shine using their gifts and talents.

There are two sides to ArtsView. The first side is the PATHS side which stands for Performing Arts Theatre School. This aspect of the organization starts working with kids at age two and this is where the education side of the organization comes in. These programs work on creativity and foster it at a young age to prepare them for the future. They do this through camps and classes throughout the year. They have various lengths of programs ranging from a couple of hours a week to 1-2 week intensive camps depending on the time of year and availability.

The other side to the program is their mainstage performances. This is an audition-based program that is responsible for putting on the shows you see advertised. The mainstage programs are a 6 week process full of rehearsals where they will learn choreography, lines, music, etc, along with the opportunity to learn and help with the technical side of the production. Throughout the year, ArtsView puts on around 5 mainstage shows.

Students involved get the unique opportunity to be part of the performing arts, but also have a community of people around them from different schools, areas, and lifestyles. They will also grow in confidence, knowledge, and overall appreciation of the arts. ArtsView works hard to be organized in a way that makes both parents and students comfortable and want to be there.

ArtsView opened in 2004 when a group of community members asked the question if there were enough opportunities for the families of Longview to participate in live theatre. After partnering with other organizations, putting on their first production, and acquiring their non-profit, ArtsView officially became part of the Longview community on Tyler St. Recently, the organization remodeled their building to make it more effective to work in and also to give the exterior a facelift to attract and make it more on brand with what they are doing. One side of the building will have a mural that has bright colors and different homages to the shows that they have done in the past.

This year, ArtsView will host their annual banquet Broadway at the View on September 16, 2023 at The Reserve. Different from years past, this banquet will be in a larger location in order to accommodate more people and provide entertainment for more people. They want this to become an exciting community event that provides entertainment along with opportunities to learn about and support ArtsView. The banquet will also feature a show directed by Sarah Medin to go with the theme “In love.” The goal of the banquet is to showcase the talent within ArtsView and raise money in order to keep the organization up and running.

“My daughter is not a basketball player or a softball player and so she didn't feel like she fit. She didn't feel like she had friends that understood her. But here, and especially with the Youth Council that has impacted her so much, they embraced her. They didn't treat her as somebody younger. They treated her with love and respect, and they said, ‘you know what? Your appreciation of musicals is valid.’ And now she's not afraid to sing anymore. She was a very shy kid. Now, she gets up on that stage and she dances. I can't even recognize my 12-year-old, and I'm happy about that.”

Krystle Spates, mom of ArtsView student.