The “Arts District” in Downtown St. Cloud is dedicated to national leadership in bringing arts and people together to discover, enjoy, and understand the world’s diverse artistic heritage. The Arts District offers a wide variety of entertainment options. Whatever your tastes, you’re sure to find something that appeals to you.
National Center for Arts Research Named St. Cloud in Top 20 Most Vibrant Arts Communities in America; 16 of 900 cities; March 2016
Paramount Theatre Lobby, above, and the Public Library, below.
| Paramount Arts District and Visual Arts Center all ages, all levels , Executive Director 913 W. St. Germain St. (Downtown) (320) 259-5463 (Ticket info) (320) 257-5928 (Visual Arts) (320) 257-3120 (Gallery & Gifts) (320) 257-3102 (Gallery St. Germain) At the heart Downtown’s growing Arts District is the Paramount Theatre and Visual Arts Center. This beautiful community arts facility is Central Minnesota’s only public visual arts center. The Paramount cultural and educational needs of the community for more than 20 years.Originally completed in 1921, the renovated historic Theatre seats 700 and serves as a stage for rent by numerous community groups to perform. It is also a location to attend professional performances by touring musicians and theatrical groups. · The Visual Arts Center (VAC), located in the lower level of the building, offers visual arts classes in ceramics, pottery, painting, drawing, stained glass, weaving, fused glass, woodturning, for beginning and experienced artists in the community. The VAC also offers professional development opportunities for artists, educators and businesses in the Central Minnesota region. · The VAC also offers exhibition opportunities and provides exposure for local artists through juried competitions. The Paramount Gallery & Gifts, located next door to the theatre, provides the opportunity for local artists to sell their work. |
| Camera Club of Central Minnesota all ages, all levels
The Camera Club of Central Minnesota is a group of photographers interested in sharing their work and improving their skills. The club is open to all skill levels, from beginners to professionals. Several times a year, the club sponsors field trips offering opportunities to take photos, learn from other photographers or photographic displays. The club meets the first Thursday of each month at the St. Cloud Public Library. |
| Central Minnesota Community Theatre (CMCT) all ages 913 W. St. Germain St. (Downtown) (320) 259-0250CMCT is a non-profit organization devoted to producing the highest quality live productions with the talents of our local community |
| CSB/SJU Fine Arts Series Brian Jose, Executive Director 37 College Ave S, St. Joseph, MN 56374 (320) 363-5777 The mission of the Fine Arts Series at the College of St. Benedict and Saint John’s University is to provide a wealth of creativity and art that makes life in Central Minnesota even richer. We curate a series of performing and visual arts events that bring the finest in regional and national artists to our community for performances, exhibits, lectures and community workshops. |
| Chamber Music Society of St. Cloud Rebecca Scheele, Executive Director PO Box 205, St. Cloud, MN 56302 (320) 292-4645The CMS presents a series of concerts by nationally known ensembles, as well as family concerts and other outreach activities. The mission is to bring the finest chamber ensembles to Central Minnesota, and to foster understanding and appreciation of chamber music. |
| Granite City Folk Society, all ages , Board Administrator 19273 Estes Rd Clearwater, MN 56320The Granite City Folk Society, in its fourth season, brings quality folk music to the St. Cloud area from September through May each year |
| Great River Educational Arts Theatre (GREAT), youth & families Dennis Whipple, Artistic Director (320) 558-2823Non-profit community theatre for youth and families. |
| Jazz.Combo school age jazz performers , President (320) 253-0592Jazz.Combo features 20 school-age jazz musicians from seven Central Minnesota high schools. The members are dedicated to improving their own musical abilities, while promoting the great sound of jazz. |
| Minnesota Center Choral , Director (320) 257-0603The Minnesota Center Chorale (MCC) is a regional community chorus which begins its 37th season in the fall of 2009. MCC draws members throughout central Minnesota into this 80 member choir to perform a mixture of classical and contemporary music. The Minnesota Center Chorale is a member of United Arts of Central Minnesota. All the members are volunteers. |
| Pioneer Place on Fifth , Co-Founder 22 Fifth Ave S (Downtown) (320) 203-0331Pioneer Place on Fifth is Central Minnesota’s premier professional theatre, presenting an 8-show season each year. The mission of Pioneer Place on Fifth is to bring to St. Cloud high quality, professional theatre and other entertainment to art enthusiasts who would normally have to venture to the Twin Cities to enjoy. The venue, built in 1913, has been restored to its classic look and offers theatre-goers a very intimate setting professional talent. Go early so you can shop at The Veranda, a specialty shop worth your while. |
| St. Cloud All-City High School Marching Band , Head Director P.O. Box 7762. St. Cloud, MN 56302 (320) 255-9836The St. Cloud All-City Marching Band, based in St. Cloud, Minnesota is an extensive marching arts program consisting of an award winning Marching Band, Winter Guard and Winter Drumline. Comprised primarily of students grades 7-12 from school district 742 and any neighboring community that does not offer a marching opportunity.The St. Cloud All-City Marching Band is not a school program. It is a separate non-profit organization that is entirely self-funded, relying heavily on donations and fundraising to cover costs like travel, equipment and uniforms. For over 25 years, the St. Cloud All-City Marching Band has provided challenging, enjoyable, educational opportunities for students. |
| St. Cloud Arts Commission , Art Commission Asst. 400 S 2nd St, St. Cloud MN 56301 (320) 650-3052The St. Cloud Arts Commission is an advisory board on arts and culture for the City of St. Cloud. It is comprised of seven volunteer members appointed by the Mayor and City Council. The mission of the St. Cloud Arts Commission is to be a catalyst for creating a community in which the arts can flourish. It does this through community programming, public funding initiatives, and advising City leaders on arts matters. The Arts Commission was established on August 27, 1990 by ordinance 1474 of the City of St. Cloud. |
| St. Cloud State University (SCSU) Department of Music 135 Performing Arts Center 720 Fourth Ave. S., St. Cloud MN 56301 (320) 308-3223The SCSU Music Department presents over 150 public performances for over 20 thousand people each year. The Department offers the most comprehensive music program available within the Minnesota State College and University system with 26 full-time and part-time faculty and is assisting in leading the University toward regional and national recognition. The SCSU Department of Music is also fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. |
| St. Cloud State University (SCSU) String Project Pablo Mahave-Veglia, Orchestra Director 720 Fourth Ave. S., St. Cloud MN 56301 (320) 255-3223The SCSU String Project is a program providing string instruction to children interested in beginning a stringed instrument. Funded by a grant from the American String Teachers’ Association with the National School Orchestra Association, the project provides two lessons per week for children at a cost of $45 per semester. Students enrolled in the program work with a master string teacher and are assisted in the class by String Project Assistants. A primary goal of the program is to develop greater participation in string instrument playing in the central Minnesota region. Interested parents may get more information by calling the SCSU Department of Music at 320-255-3223. |
| St. Cloud State University (SCSU) University Programming (UPB) , Director of University Programming 118 Atwood Center, 720 Fourth Ave S. St. Cloud MN 56301 (320) 308-2205Visual, performing and literary arts. The SCSU UPB Visual Arts Committee brings 5 art exhibits to the Atwood Center Gallery at SCSU each year. Both national and local artists are selected. Artists may apply for exhibit consideration to the committee. |
| St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra , Executive Director P.O. Box 234, St. Cloud MN 56302The mission of the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra is to present high quality performance of orchestral music and educational outreach activities to the St. Cloud area, to encourage participation by local and area musicians and to further the understanding and appreciation of orchestral music. |
| St. John’s University Performing Arts , Executive Director Collegeville, MN 56321 (320) 363-3577 |
| The St. John’s Boys’ Choir and Paula Heydman (320) 363-2558The St. John’s Boys’ Choir offers an enriching experience in vocal music education for boys ages 8-14 who come from within a 5-mile radius of Saint John’s. The choir promotes vocal music education in Central Minnesota and offers the unique experience of a well-trained boys’ choir to its audiences. |
| Spiritoso Pablo Mahave-Veglia, Orchestra Director 720 Fourth Ave. S., St. Cloud MN 56301 (320) 255-3223Spiritoso is a youth string orchestra, organized as part of the SCSU Preparatory Program and the SCSU String Project. The orchestra is open to intermediate level students with ages ranging from 8-15. Spiritoso rehearses on Monday evening from 6:15 to 7:45 and performs two of four times each year. Spiritoso is conducted by Bruce Wood, orchestra director at SCSU, and assisted by four to six string majors who provide additional instruction for students. Parents interested in having their students enroll in Spiritoso may get more information by calling the SCSU Department of Music at 320-255-3223.p |
| United Arts of Central Minnesota funding organization , Executive Director 913 W. St. Germain St. (Downtown)United Arts of Central Minnesota, a nonprofit organization, is dedicated to fund raising for the development, support and promotions of the work of its eight partner organizations: St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra, Central MN Community Theatre, Chamber Music Society of St. Cloud, the St. John’s Boys’ Choir, Multicultural Children’s Art Connection, Visual Arts MN, Quite Light Opera Company and MN Center Chorale. |
| Visual Arts Minnesota, all ages, all levels 22 5th Ave. S. (Downtown)Visual Arts MN is dedicated to creating opportunities for visual artists to exhibit and sell their work, providing resources for visual artists, students and educators, and fostering an appreciation for the visual arts in our everyday lives. |
| Wirth Center for the Performing Arts , Executive Director 823 1st Street South, P.O. Box 162 (320) 255-0318Wirth Center for the Performing Arts (formerly Central Minnesota Music School) is a non-profit community school of the performing arts dedicated to providing exceptional quality performing arts education to students of all ages and abilities. Wirth Center offers year-round instruction in Early Childhood Music and Movement, music instruction (piano, violin, viola, voice, guitar, percussion and voice), composition and pre-ballet/ballet training for youth through adults. Other programs of the school include School of Rock, Salon se Lève and the Young Artist World Piano Festival. |