Virginians for the Arts, a group advocating on behalf of the arts in Virginia, has honored efforts by the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts to expand the cultural horizons of children.

The center was recently awarded a Dominion ArtStars Rising Star Award for two programs created in response to school budget cuts.

Student Matinees and Artists in Schools expose children to the arts, including the magic of live theater, while supporting the Standards of Learning.

“Expanding education outreach has been something the center has been very committed to for several years,” said Jackie Cherry, its executive director.

“Education is a big thing to us. The outreach to the community is a big thing to us. It’s part of our mission and purpose for being here.

“With the school budget cuts, it makes a big difference.”

Even for those students not pursuing an arts education, research shows exposure to the arts improves learning in subjects like math and science, Cherry said.

For many kids, she said, a visit to the center is a big deal. “We’ve had third-graders come in and say it’s their first field trip out of school,” she said.

“Some of the feedback from the kids is amazing. One of the children came up and wrapped his arms around my leg and said, ‘This is the best movie I have ever seen.’ It was a live performance.”

The programs also benefit the artists, said Jodie Mazur, the center’s education director. “We try to do a lot with regional artists and arts organizations,” she said.

Representatives from Dominion ArtStars and Virginians for the Arts will attend an award presentation at the center Saturday, Cherry said.

The center will receive a prize of $1,000 for winning one of only two Rising Star Awards.

Other annual honors bestowed by Virginians for the Arts are five Regional Shining Star Awards and one Shining Star Award.

Cherry said the Suffolk center has applied for the Rising Star Award, for Virginia organizations with a qualifying arts education program operating for three to five years, for the last few years.

“We always hope, but this year — I think because of the hard work over the last couple of years — we just hit a home run,” she said.

“We are grateful that we are being recognized for the good work that’s being done here.”