About Us
Our multi-disciplinary art center is filled with opportunities for you and your family to experience the transformative power of the arts and engage with our arts-loving community.
We are a vibrant cultural and artistic gathering place in Historic downtown Faribault. We are centrally located in Southern MN, less than an hour from 3 major hubs: St Paul/Minneapolis, Mankato and Rochester.
We are thrilled to bring you an exciting line-up of entertaining shows, visual art exhibits & educational opportunities made possible by Minnesota State Arts Board and SEMAC grants, and the generous gifts of business and individuals.
Our Mission
We welcome all people to experience the transformative power of the arts.
Our Vision
The Paradise Center for the Arts is a collaborative center of artistic activity in downtown Faribault. We offer art education, gallery exhibits and live performances of music, theater, comedy, and other artistic opportunities for all ages. We are a vibrant hub in our community and a well fueled economic engine for the region.
Our Values
Integrity: We manage this community asset entrusted to us with integrity; honoring our rich history, protecting our historic building, and embracing new ideas to encourage greater involvement by all community members.
Collaboration: We collaborate broadly with local organizations, regional arts organizations, volunteers, and artists to provide outstanding performances, exhibits, and education.
Creative Expression: As a center for artistic expression we value all interpretations of the arts and strive to bring a diverse representation to our offerings.
Inclusion: We strive to thoughtfully provide cultural programming that attracts and respects all the diversity we admire in our community and region.
Quality: We offer quality creative programming that constantly evolves to meet the needs of active participants and the community we serve.
Our History
Our beautifully restored facility is built on the original foundation of the 1885 Faribault Opera House, which was destroyed by fire in 1929. Designed by the architectural firm Liebenberg and Kaplan, the Paradise was originally conceptualized as the Granada with a Moorish or Spanish theme.
After years of operation as a movie theater, and then several years of vacancy and decay, the community rallied to restore this magnificent jewel. The building was extensively renovated in 2006 to include art galleries, classrooms, clay and textile labs, a gift shop and rehearsal spaces, in addition to a 278 seat auditorium. The Paradise Center for the Arts opened to the public in 2007. In 2008, The Paradise Center for the Arts received the MN Preservation Alliance Restoration/Rehabilitation Award.
For over 40 years, the Faribault Art Center (now Paradise Center for the Arts) has been part of the Faribault community. Began in the 1950s by a small group of artists, FAC promoted visual arts to local artists and art lovers through classes, exhibitions, and community involvement projects. FACT also had a strong history of making theatrical performances accessible to community participants as well as patrons. There are currently five community theatre performances a year, held in the Bahl Family Auditorium.
Paradise Center for the Arts functions under the Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation of Faribault Art Center, and retains its nonprofit status: EIN 41-138-1314.
We look forward to the opportunity to share with YOU what Paradise has to offer. Visit our facility and enjoy our many artistic offerings. Contact us to learn more today.
Our Staff
Julie Fakler
Executive Director
Will McIntyre
Performing Arts and Education Director
Rhonda Norgaard
Administrative Assistant
Sara Caron
Production Coordinator
Char Johnson
Volunteer Coordinator &
Box Office
Dallas Musselman
Box Office
Board of Directors
President: Matthew Long
Vice President: Todd Ginter
Treasurer: Cheryl Steinberg
Secretary: Jessica Schwie
City Council Rep.: Peter van Sluis
Garrett Fitzgerald
Vicki Kanne
Rosemarie Marraccini
Kandice Nelson
Kelly Nygaard
Todd Rost
Andrea Turini
Sadie Watts
100 Club Members
Mark E. Ahnemann
Carol J. Anderson
Anonymous
Lynn Babcock
Marian Bahl
Greg & Diane Barta
Barta Machine, LLC
John & Phyllis Battles
Gregory & Bonnie Becker
Tim & Wendy Becker
Alane Bendtsen & Steve Searl
Fred & Jan Bettner
Fred, Nichole & Ella Bettner
Ellen & Ward Bisping
Scott & Kari Boldt
The Budde Family
Dan & Diane Burns
Kenneth & Linda Butzow
Mary Cameron & Bob Crone
Brent & Judy Conlow
Richard Cook Family
Dave Correll & Ann Meillier
Brad & Marcia Schroder
Dean Schultz In Memory of Loreen Schultz
Susan Searl
Julianna & Roger Skluzacek
Reuben & Janet Tangren
Troy & Linda Temple Family
Tolle Fine Art
Sara Coulter
Mary Donahue Family
Father Henry Doyle
Matt & Kris Drevlow
Tony & Kathy Drouillard
Amy Elliott & Matt Drenth
Faribault Chamber Trust
Faribault Foundation
Faribault Vacuum & Sewing Center
Roger Fette - Fette Productions
Richard & Joyce Fette - Fette Electronics
In Memory of Greg Fette - The Fette Family
Scot & Peggy Gardner
Tom & Kathleen Gerbig
Dennis & Patt Germann
George Gleim
Cate Grinney & Steve Hunter
Tom’s Pro Glass
Marvin & Sandi Trandem
The Tuma Family
Cathy Von Ruden
Sertoma Club of Faribault
Harley Tate
The Joe Varley Family
James Coulter
David M. Gross & Lynne E. Goldberg
Bonnie & Bruce Gustafson
John & Diane Hagen
Gary & Jacquelyn Hartwig
Jason & Jane Hillesheim
Dr. Richard & Nancie Huston
Jane
Donn & Ardys Johnson
LuAnn Johnson
Diane E. Juvland
Ken & Pat Kangas
Richard & Anna Kettering
Gail Kielmeyer
Al & Carol Kingsley
Kathy Hilgers Larson
Dwight & Dianne Lockerby and Saul & Sarah Lockerby
Doug Madow & Micki O’Flynn
Rod Mahler
Todd & Lori Jo Markman
Bill & Marsha McDonald
George & Eileen Voracek
Cori & Rob Weems
Barbara A. & Robert A. Wegner
Neil & Jenny Whannel
Evelyn Kay Meyer & Seabron B. Johnson
Mike & Carmen Monge
Doug & Liz Nelson
Mary Niermann
Tom Noble
Glen & Shirley Norgaard
Dr. Robert & Julie Olson
In Memory of Elaine Paukert Lynch by her Loving Daughter
Jim & Deb Purfeerst
Carol Quail
Audrey & Wayne Quiggle
Reliance Bank
Don & Jeanette Reuvers
Mary and Mike Richie
Pat Rice
Craig & Lisa Ryan
Jennifer R. Sawyer
Kim & Darren Schaufenbuel
Dan Schonebaum & Sigrid Nelson
Marvin & Sara Schrader
George Wickstrom, Jr.
Grant & Lisa Wilson
Mark & Deb Wisdorf
Simon & Dr. Karen Zeller
“These activities are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural fund.”
Thank you to Basilleo's 2.0 for being our Entertainment Hospitality Sponsor! We are lucky to have a local restaurant like Basilleo's 2.0 that brings homemade dishes to life for the Faribault community!
Looking for a pre-show meal? Look no further! Basilleo's 2.0 has pizza, pasta, sandwiches, salads & more!
Located just down the street from the Paradise Center for the Arts!
108 4th St. NW, Faribault MN
Phone: (507) 332-6701
Open Sunday - Thursday: 4PM - 10PM
Friday & Saturday: 4PM - 11 PM
At Basilleo's there is something on the menu for all!
Paradise Center for the Arts
321 Central Avenue N.
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 332-7372
Hours: Wed.-Fri. 12-5pm &
Sat. 10am-2pm
Copyright © 2023 Paradise Center for the Arts