intently, you could still hear the faint echo of the audiences that came to The Paramount over the years. . .


Fortunately, in 1992 a group of concerned citizens formed a nonprofit organization and purchased The Paramount, saving it from imminent demolition. Over the next decade, more and more people in our community made this vision their own. They set out to revive The Paramount—not to resurrect the past but to enrich the present. They believed that few things are as uplifting as inspired live performance, and they vowed to share this wonderful experience with as many people as possible throughout the Charlottesville community.


The people of Charlottesville responded generously to the most ambitious arts- fundraising campaign in community history, and in 2004, exactly thirty years after closing, The Paramount re-opened its doors with a memorable, sold-out performance by Tony Bennett.


Today, The Paramount plays a vital role in Charlottesville and Central Virginia by offering a unique variety of programming at its highly visible and accessible downtown location. With a remarkable variety of arts, education, and entertainment offerings The Paramount draws a wonderful assortment of patrons, diverse in terms of income level, race, ethnicity, and geography—fully half of The Paramount’s visitors come from more than 15 miles outside downtown Charlottesville. Once again this historic theater has reclaimed its place at the center of the community, showing its capacity to entertain, educate, enlighten, and enchant.


Economic Impact


The Paramount is an important economic generator on Charlottesville’s downtown pedestrian mall, and most local residents acknowledge that its restoration and re- opening has been critical to the downtown area’s renaissance over the past decade.


According to economic surveys commissioned by Americans for the Arts, the average attendee to an arts event spent $27.79 locally in addition to their ticket price. If Charlottesville corresponds to this national average, that would equate to $2,045,594 in incremental sales receipts to the downtown area in 2009/2010.


Dozens of local nonprofit groups use The Paramount each year—more than 50 in 2009/2010 alone—for fundraising events, meetings, and symposia. The Paramount offers its space at a reduced rate thanks to the Community Access Fund, which all area nonprofits are encouraged to use.


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