Paramount Center for the Arts

The Paramount Theatre, an excellent example of the art deco motion picture palaces constructed during the late 1920’s and 1930’s was completed in 1931. In its heyday, the Paramount staged vaudeville shows and other live entertainment, but made its reputation presenting blockbuster films from Hollywood.After 48 years, the theatre fell victim to changing times and tastes and was closed in 1979. Ownership of the property was transferred in the next ten years, but the theatre remained closed.However, a group of community leaders believed that the theatre could be the focal point in the redevelopment of the downtown area and crucial to community economic development. A feasibility study confirmed that necessary funds could be raised, and the theatre renovated and restored.In 1987, Theatre Bristol turned the Paramount over to a newly formed, independent, nonprofit organization called the Paramount Foundation. Supported by a group of community leaders, the foundation took on the responsibility of raising the additional $1.3 million to complete the project.Ownership was transferred to the group known as the Paramount Foundation. The founding board was composed of Frank Leonard, Chairman; Jim Stone, President; B.J. Green, Vice President; Lois Clark, Financial; Don Cooper, Legal; Lee Shillito, Fund Raising; Mary Beth Rainero, Project Coordinator; Pierce Elliott, Publicity and W.F. “Bill” Williamson, Construction.In 1989 through the efforts of State Senator Carl Moore and Representative Dana Moore, the state of Tennessee provided a $1,000,000.00 challenge grant and over 1,000 donors gave $1,300,000.00 in matching funds. It was a monumental effort. The painstaking renovation and restoration of the Paramount took 17 months. But dreams became reality on April 26, 1991.In our many years of operation patrons have come from all over Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee, as well as Kentucky and North Carolina. The theatre attracts people to downtown Bristol which fosters businesses that cooperate with its scheduled performances or cater to our patrons.The Paramount is more than a presenter of entertainment. It is a multi-functional facility used by businesses, professional and civic organizations for conferences, regional meetings, civic functions and other events such as weddings. There is also television broadcast capability. Tours of the facility are given as requested.The October 1993 issue of Money listed the Johnson City-Bristol-Kingsport Metropolitan Statistical Area as number one in the state of Tennessee, number five in the southeast and number 34 overall in the United States as most livable. The availability and investment in the arts are factored into this listing. These rankings could move higher with additional regional emphasis on the arts.There is no other facility like the Paramount within 120 miles. It is imperative that all of the region support and utilize this facility for meetings or entertainment.