The theater began its life as a motion picture house in 1916, marking it as one of the city's oldest continuously operating entertainment sites.
The 1996 renovation was timed to coincide with the Atlanta Summer Olympics, serving as a cultural venue during the games.
The venue is home to the Georgia State University Jazz Band and frequently hosts the GSU School of Music faculty recitals.
The theater's interior features a notable proscenium arch that reflects the design trends of early 20th-century cinema houses.
It is centrally located in the Fairlie-Poplar district, a historic commercial hub recognized for its high concentration of early 20th-century architecture.
The Rialto Center for the Arts is a historic 833-seat proscenium theater located in the heart of downtown Atlanta. Originally constructed in 1916 as the Rialto Theatre, it functioned as a cinema before undergoing a major renovation and reopening in 1996 as a performance venue operated by Georgia State University. The venue specializes in jazz, world music, and dance performances while serving as a primary cultural hub for the university’s College of the Arts. Its architectural design retains a blend of historic aesthetics with updated acoustical engineering suitable for diverse acoustic and amplified musical acts. The center hosts the Rialto Series, which features internationally acclaimed artists, alongside student recitals and local community productions.
The historic marquee and theater entrance on Forsyth Street, particularly when illuminated at dusk.
Check the digital marquee or official website calendar before arriving, as the venue is closed to the public between scheduled events.
Arrive early to explore the lobby, which often features rotating visual art exhibitions by local artists.
Utilize local parking decks rather than street parking, as nearby spaces are highly limited during major university events.
Assuming the theater is open for tours or walk-ins on non-performance days.
Closed to the public on non-performance days and during the university's winter and summer academic breaks.
Business casual is recommended; refrain from flash photography during active performances.
