ANDERSON AREA CHILDREN’S CHOIR and YOUTH CHORALE is a not-for- profit corporation dedicated to the art of excellent choral singing for elementary though high school age children and youth. With an enrollment of over 150 children entering grades two through twelve, the choir exists to artistically enrich the lives of these children, their families, and the surrounding community. For more information you may go onto their website, www.aacc-aayc.org or call 778-4738.

THE ANDERSON COMMUNITY CONCERT SERIES, associated with Community Concerts, Inc. and Columbia Artists Management, is organized by a group of Anderson area volunteers who wish to promote musical appreciation in the community. Four concerts are scheduled per year and available to the general public on a membership basis. Nationally prominent artists present popular classical and complete stage shows. The concerts are held in Reardon Auditorium on the Anderson University campus located at 1015 East 5th Street.

THE ANDERSON CENTER for the ARTS is conveniently located in downtown Anderson at 32 West 10th Street, phone #649-1248. The Center is now housed in the former Anderson Public Library. This is a Gothic Greek Revival building, which has been beautifully restored and is an artwork in itself and well-worth seeing. The Center promotes fine arts in Anderson and the surrounding area, working with fine arts groups and coordinating art activities. The Anderson Center for the Arts provides a valuable contribution to the cultural life of Anderson in the following ways: an enlarged permanent collection of art; varied art exhibitions free to the public; monthly film series free to the public; musical programs; dancing activities; meeting space for art; the theatre groups; exhibits of antique silver and other objects of art; art classes; an information center for visual arts; rehearsal space for dramatic activities; storage of theatrical props; children’s play annually at the Center; performances by the Anderson Art League and Society of Artists; annual Arts Festival; art sales and rental gallery; business members picture loan service; and a gift shop.

THE ANDERSON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA originally formed by Anderson University is a community effort. The 65 members of the Anderson Symphony are a mix of professionals, amateurs and students. Dr. Richard Sowers is maestro of symphony orchestra. Their office is located at 1124 Meridian Street in downtown Anderson. Funding comes entirely from contributions, community businesses, and occasionally the Indiana Arts Commission. Concerts and rehearsals are held in the newly renovated Paramount Theater. The Symphony sponsors a Youth Solo Competition and a Red Apple Concert for young people. Concerts are also held at nursing homes and shopping centers.

THE ANDERSON YOUNG BALLET THEATRE, INC. is housed in the Big Four Arts Depot. This is their third year in this beautifully renovated building. AYBT Academy employs a graded, progressive approach to teaching the art of Dance, with programs suitable for students with professional aspirations as well as those wishing to pursue dance as a recreational or educational discipline. Students receive personalized attention and the same high quality of dance education.

ANDERSON UNIVERSITY has several facilities open to the public. On the second level of the Krannert Fine Arts Center is the WILSON ART GALLERY where scores of traveling exhibits, art masterpieces on loan from major museums, and the work of students and faculty are on display. Permanently housed in the gallery is the exceptional Austin collection of Boehm porcelain birds, one of the finest such collections in the world. THE MUSEUM OF BIBLE AND NEAR EASTERN STUDIES on the ground floor of the School of Theology, exhibits objects found in the excavation of Biblical sites. The 2200 seat Reardon Auditorium, opened in 1984, is a scene of concerts, theatrical productions and convocations.

Other resources include the PERFORMING ARTS STATION, a renovated railway station housing facilities for dance instruction and performances and a railroad museum. WALKING TOURS of Historic West Eighth Street and the Downtown are available free. THE ANDERSON PUBLIC LIBRARY has 20,000 volumes, a children’s collection, 400 magazines, circulating audio-visual materials and microfilmed periodicals. Special services such as film series, discussion groups, and craft sessions are offered frequently.

THE GRUENWALD HOME 626 Main Street is operated by the Historic Home Commission and the Parks Department. Renovated with private funds in 1975, the house was dedicated and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. It was built in 1860 and enlarged in 1870 by Martin Gruenwald and features the mansard roof and bag windows typical of the “Second Empire” architectural style. Furnished with household goods of the late 1800’s donated by area citizens, the home is used for civic meetings and private social events.

THE MADISON COUNTY DRAMATIC PLAYERS in residence at the MAINSTAGE THEATRE located at 124 West 9th Street, are an amateur theatrical group who produce three musicals and two plays at professional standards from June through August each year. Performances are held on four nights each week during the season and occasionally at other locations. The Dramatic Players celebrated their 40th anniversary in 1999 and at present have a membership of over 500. The entire population is invited to participate as actors, stage crew and of course, as audience.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE CENTRE – Built in 1929, the Paramount Theatre is one of the few “atmospheric” theaters left in the nation. Noted Austrian born architect John Eberson designed the interior. The design includes a sky blue ceiling with twinkling stars and clouds. The Spanish design sidewalls create the feeling of a Spanish courtyard. The Paramount was saved from the wrecking ball by a group of dedicated Andersonians who founded the Paramount Heritage Foundation, Inc. a not-for-profit organization. The Paramount Theatre Centre hosts vintage movies, concerts, stage shows, large banquets, small conventions, business meetings, etc. One of only three remaining Page Theatre Organs has been renovated for future performances. Reservations are made well in advance for wedding receptions, school proms, etc. in the Ballroom of the Paramount.