In September 1998, we opened our doors with expanded artistic offerings, which then featured a newly renovated theatre and an added suite of Arts Studios in the lower-level.
During the past 25 years we have had the honor to continue a tradition of service to our community, celebrating multiple generations of returning family and welcoming new friends to this home for the arts.
Today, the Paramount Center for the Arts features our historic Theatre, which hosts more than 200 days of performing arts activities each year; art studios with over 130 classes and workshops, both on site and at our satellite Tech Site location in Waite Park; three exhibitions galleries, highlighting nearly 30 noteworthy and beautifully curated shows; a storefront in St. Cloud’s historic Downtown that represents the works of 80 retail artists living and working in Minnesota; and a Community Engagement Department that continuously is exploring new and meaningful ways to connect with people beyond our brick and mortar locations.
To be a vibrant arts organization, we want to continue to inspire artistic exploration. This coming year we are working to design accessible classes that celebrate individuals of all abilities, connect to vulnerable communities through unique local partnerships, and so much more.
Please visit this site often, this page will adapting as we continue the celebration of our first 25 years!
Virtual Tour!
CLICK HERE to explore the entire facility and enjoy a newly create video that highlights the Paramount! Thank you to our friends at Stringline Motion Picture Company and Fines Aerial Imaging for helping make this project possible!
Visual Arts Studios:
The Pottery Studio is home to 22 electric wheels, including one of the only publicly available accessible wheels, allowing the wheel height to be adjusted and a hand controlled speed pedal. An additional three kick wheels, three electric kilns, and cone six glazes are all a part of the Pottery Studio!
The Handbuilding and sculpture Studio is a space for people to create with clay off the pottery wheel, and use equipment like the slab roller, extruder, molds, and other tools to explore the art of ceramics!
Our Glass Studio is home to several glass fusing kilns, grinders to help shape glass, cutters, nippers, and a variety of other tools to work in stained and fused glass. Recently, we have had the pleasure of adding learning opportunities in lapidary, or the art of stone working, to this space!
Painting and Drawing is a large flexible space, allowing for drawing, painting with watercolors and acrylics, and other mixed media opportunities!
The Fiber Arts studios include six table looms, for smaller projects like decorative wall art, scraves, table runners and placemats. Our two floor looms are great for creating larger pieces like rugs! And the portable frame looms offer a great deal of flexibility in where you choose to create your work!
The Tech Site, located in Waite Park, is home to the wood shop and ceramic cone 10 gas kiln. Our partnerships with the Central Minnesota Woodcarvers Association, Central Minnesota Woodworkers Association and the Mid-Minnesota Association of Woodturners allow for safe educational exploration of the wood arts!
A Historic Look Back at the Theatre:
On Christmas Eve, 1921, citizens of Central Minnesota paid fifty cents to attend the grand opening of “St. Cloud’s Largest and Finest Playhouse,” the Sherman Theatre. The event, featured D.W. Griffith’s silent film Way Down East accompanied by a live orchestra, and marked the beginning of generations of entertainment at the theatre including Vaudeville acts, operas, concerts, Broadway road shows, animal acts, wrestling matches, speeches, political rallies, plays, musicals and movies.
Theatre Sneak Peek:
Historic Theatre features the original Sherman Theatre Curtain!
The chandeliers on either side of the stage are, as we understand, original to the Theatre and have witnessed every event that has ever occurred!
The dressing rooms on house left are original and were used by vaudevillian performers to prepare for their appearance on stage!
There are currently 840 seats in the Theatre, all with a pretty phenomenal view of the stage!
25th Anniversary Art Exhibition
This exhibition is a visual sampling of the programs we invite you to explore!
View a collection of photos that are a visual representation of the activity that happens throughout and beyond our building! Discover your next arts adventure, here at the Paramount Center for the Arts!
Located in the lower level hallways.
Open during our regular hours of operation:
Monday through Thursday 10am-9pm & Friday-Saturday 10am-4pm
Free to Attend. Always Welcoming. Always Inspiring.
EXPLORE OUR VISUAL ART PROGRAMMING!
Gift Gallery – Retail Store Offering Unique Gifts and Original Artwork (Main Level).
Expanded Visual Arts Studios Offering Classes with Skilled Artists (Lower Level and Tech Site).
Three Onsite Galleries and Monthly Art Exhibitions (Lower and Main Levels).
Engaging in the Community to Foster Meaningful Connections to the Arts (On and Off-site).
- Learn more about our Tech Site noted in the exhibition.
ONGOING PROGRAMMING PARTNERS!
These local organizations support continued art education and mentorships in our community and beyond.
- ARC Minnesota
- Central Minnesota Woodcarvers Association
- Central Minnesota Watercolorists
- Central Minnesota Woodworkers Association
- Mid-Minnesota Association of Woodturners
- St. Cloud State University
Other Valued Partnerships Include:
- Anna Marie’s Alliance
- Central Minnesota K-12 Public Art Teachers
- City of St. Cloud
- College of Saint Benedicts and St. John’s University
- Great Theatre
- Pathways for Youth
- QUEERSPACE
- Reclaiming the Circle
- St. Cloud Chamber & Downtown Alliance
- Stearns History Museum
- Terebinth Refuge
- Whitney Senior Center
EXPLORE OUR PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAMMING!
Visit our full listing of exciting Performing Arts opportunities, ranging from local live theatre, musical groups, comedies acts, film presentations and so much more!
