The Paramount Center for the Arts - (914) 739-2333

Welcome to the *Official Page* for the historic Paramount Center for the Arts, in Peekskill, NY.

Originally built as a 1500-seat movie palace by Publix Pictures, a subsidiary of Paramount Pictures, the Peekskill Paramount Theatre first opened its doors to the public with great fanfare on June 27, 1930. The Inaugural program featured an overture by the Paramount Symphony Orchestra, an appearance by the village mayor, and “A Paramount All-Talking Picture”, The Big Pond, starring Maurice Chevalier and Claudette Colbert.

The Paramount prospered for decades despite the Depression and World War II. However, it was the advent of shopping malls and television that brought on its demise as a movie theatre. Paramount sold the building in 1973. Eventually the building was acquired by the City of Peekskill in 1977 due to a tax default. Following improvements to the building, the Paramount opened briefly in 1979 as a performing arts theatre operating under the auspices of local arts and community groups.

Following further renovations and improvements, including the removal of several hundred seats, the Peekskill Paramount Center for the Performing Arts presented its first series of performances in the spring of 1982. Its mission was to bring cultural and educational programming to the northern Westchester and Putnam County area at affordable prices.

Currently, the nonprofit Paramount Center for the Arts operates as a year-round multidisciplinary center for the arts, with live performances, arts-in-education programs, films, and visual art exhibitions, serving over 63,000 people annually from throughout the mid-Hudson Valley Region.

The Paramount has recently completed a series of major renovation and historic restoration projects over the past three years. This work has included the following: repairing and re-plastering the walls and ceiling; recreating the original 1930s ceiling design on hand-painted canvases and installing them on the ceiling; completing the decorative painting of the theatre walls and balcony, faux opera boxes, stage proscenium, and towering plaster columns; installing new carpeting throughout the theatre and lobby areas; refurbishing our classic vintage theatre seats, and, most recently, the complete renovation of our restrooms.

MISSION
The Paramount Center for the Arts is dedicated to the presentation and production of diverse, high-quality programming in live performance, arts-in-education, visual arts, and film.

HOURS OF OPERATION:
BOX OFFICE OPEN:
Wed-Fri: Noon-5pm
Sat. 10 am - 3 pm
Mon. Tues. Sun: Closed
Box office open one half hour before show time.

To become a Member and help support our mission, please click the following link: https://tickets.paramountcenter.org/login.asp?gifrompage=15&gitopage=15&backurl=

Tags: Concert Venue,Theater