The venue was originally commissioned by the Paramount Publix Corporation as a flagship theater in the Appalachian region.
The interior design includes a 'starry sky' ceiling effect, a hallmark of 1920s atmospheric theater architecture.
The theater was saved from permanent closure in 1972 through the formation of the Paramount Woman's Association.
During the 1930s, the theater functioned as a cinema, hosting exclusive regional premieres for major Hollywood studios.
The pipe organ original to the 1931 construction was restored and is occasionally utilized for special programming.
The exterior marquee remains a prominent example of 1930s vertical signage, influencing the surrounding downtown streetscape.
The Paramount Arts Center is a restored 1931 movie palace located in downtown Ashland, Kentucky, designed by architect Rapp & Rapp. It features an ornate Moorish-Revival interior, which remains one of the few surviving atmospheric theaters of its era. Originally constructed as a premier venue for Paramount Pictures, the building underwent extensive preservation efforts in the 1970s and 1980s to prevent demolition. The venue maintains its original lobby aesthetics and gold-leaf ornamentation throughout the auditorium. It currently serves as a regional performing arts hub hosting national touring acts, Broadway-style productions, and film screenings. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The restored exterior marquee at night or the intricate grand lobby fireplace.
Check the performance calendar in advance, as the venue does not have daily public walk-through hours.
Arrive early to view the lobby's historic architectural details before the house opens for seating.
Parking is primarily available in street-level public lots surrounding the blocks adjacent to Winchester Avenue.
Do not mistake the theater for a museum; it is a working performance venue that is typically closed to the public outside of scheduled event times.
The facility is open exclusively for scheduled performances and community events; it is closed to the public on non-event days.
Smart casual attire is standard for evening performances; formal wear is common for gala events.
