Paramount Arts Center | Ashland

The Paramount Arts Center in Ashland, Kentucky is a historic performing arts venue and cultural landmark that has served the region for nearly a century. Originally opened in 1931 as the Paramount Theatre, it was part of the nationwide chain of Paramount movie palaces designed to showcase first-run films in opulent surroundings. Today, it functions as a live performance and arts center, blending historic preservation with contemporary cultural programming.

History and Architecture

The theater was built during the late Art Deco and Spanish Revival period, featuring elaborate interior detailing, ornamental plasterwork, and a grand marquee.

Designed by the Rapp & Rapp architectural firm, known for movie palaces, the building was intended to impress and provide a luxurious entertainment experience.

Over the decades, it served as a movie theater, vaudeville house, and community gathering place.

By the 1970s, the building had fallen into disrepair, but local efforts led to a major restoration, transforming it into a regional arts center.

Facilities and Layout

The main auditorium seats approximately 1,500, preserving the historic grandeur of the original theater while accommodating modern performance needs.

The stage and backstage areas were updated to support live theater, concerts, dance performances, and community productions.

Ancillary spaces include rehearsal rooms, galleries, and meeting areas, allowing the center to host diverse programming.

Programming and Cultural Role

The Paramount Arts Center hosts concerts, Broadway touring productions, local theater performances, dance recitals, and educational programs.

It serves as a hub for arts education in the region, offering workshops, masterclasses, and outreach to schools.

The center collaborates with regional arts organizations, musicians, and performers to showcase both professional and community talent.

Preservation and Significance

Restoration efforts preserved much of the original decorative plaster, murals, and lobby design, maintaining the historical integrity of the building.

As one of the few remaining historic movie palaces in eastern Kentucky, it stands as a testament to early 20th-century architecture, entertainment history, and community investment in cultural preservation.

Its combination of historic significance and contemporary arts programming makes it both a tourist attraction and a local cultural anchor.

Visitor Experience

Guests experience a sense of grandeur upon entering the lobby, with period detailing, chandeliers, and decorative motifs evoking the glamour of the 1930s.

Performances range from nationally touring acts to local productions, providing diverse entertainment for the region.

Tours and educational events allow visitors to explore the theater’s history, architecture, and role in Ashland’s cultural life.

Cultural Significance
The Paramount Arts Center symbolizes Ashland’s commitment to arts and heritage. By preserving an architectural gem while actively engaging the community with performances and education, it bridges historical preservation with contemporary cultural vitality, making it one of northeastern Kentucky’s most important arts institutions.