Welcome to the Paramount Center for the Arts
Visit the Galleries and Visual Arts Classroom – self guided tour.
Built in 1921, the Paramount serves the community of Central Minnesota and beyond. Within the facility you will view an 800-seat theatre, extensive art studios, classrooms, multiple exhibition spaces, and a gift shop!
Thank you for taking a self-guided tour of our spaces.
Always Free to Attend. Always Inspiring.
Gallery Hours
Historic Lobby & Gallery Saint Germain, Main Floor
Mon – Fri || 10am – 5pm and Sat || 10am – 2pm
- Last year, our galleries supported the work of more than 470 artists currently living and working in the State of Minnesota (predominately representing greater MN) – 80% were new to the Paramount.
- Artist exhibitions are typically 1-2 months. Should you stop by after May, you will be able to experience a new exhibition(s). Learn more on our Exhibitions page (https://paramountarts.org/exhibitions/).
- As you walk through the galleries here are a few questions to help you reflect on the work (PDF).
Three Key Tour Locations (with a couple bonus stops).
GSG is our newest, premiere gallery – renovated in the summer of 2021. This flexible space is both a visual arts gallery and a retail store – equipped with a moveable wall to offer flexibility for artists.
Feel free to browse our store featuring 80 Minnesota artists.
Gift Gallery: https://paramountarts.org/gift-shop/
GALLERY (2): Cross the Granite Lobby (gray tiled floors) – don’t forget to stop by the glass display case by the tall windows. It is filled with 3-dimensional artwork from artists in our community. Then, enter the Historic Lobby Gallery (carpeted), on the main level.
- About the Building: The architectural style of this gallery mirrors the glamor of the 1920s, with art deco geometric – stenciled patterns and bold gold trim.
- The green safe located on in the far corner is original to the site and was opened in 2020. The safe included a wheat penny – worth close to $50 and a sample of the original carpet.
- As you can imagine, the Historic Gallery is our most visible exhibition space – as it transcends the visual and performing arts with patrons attending theatre productions and music concerts.
- About the Building:The marquee lobby entrance was originally two stories and featured a box office on the second level that was removed in the 1990’s during the renovation. Today patrons can still buy tickets for performance in the box office moved to the Granite Lobby to make it more accessible.
- Note: Real gold-leaf was used when completing the trim work in the marquee lobby.
- Can you count how many crystals are contained in each pendant light?
- Note: Real gold-leaf was used when completing the trim work in the marquee lobby.
- About the Building:The marquee lobby entrance was originally two stories and featured a box office on the second level that was removed in the 1990’s during the renovation. Today patrons can still buy tickets for performance in the box office moved to the Granite Lobby to make it more accessible.
BONUS STOP: Aimee Miron, Director of Community Engagement will be onsite to greet you in the lobby and is willing to offer a sneak peak of our historic theatre. Originally established in 1921 as a motion picture theatre under the name The Sherman Theatre – we continue the legacy of offering an occasional film, along with 50 live performances that bring in more than 100,000 visitors annually.
- About the Building: In the late 80’s early 90’s the theatre began to deteriorate. The City of St. Cloud purchased the building for approximately $500,000 and then began renovations for an additional $5.5 million. The City still owns the building and contracts with the Paramount to support programming.
- The two chandeliers flanking the stage are original to the theatre. They are both encircled with elegant both teardrop and strung crystals.
VISUAL ART CLASSROOMS (3): Celebrate your inner artist in a world just below your feet! At the north end of the building, use the stairs or the elevator to make your way to our lower-level Visual Arts Studios. Programming includes more than 100 classes with experienced instructors in ceramics, wood arts, painting, drawing, fused glass, weaving, stained glass, and much more!
- In the Studios: https://paramountarts.org/art-classes/
The studios are laid out in a triangle encircling the ceramic’s studio in the center of the space.
