Mural

The Colonial Theater is a historic theater in Idaho Falls, Idaho, founded in 1919 as a venue for live performances. From 1929 until 1990, it operated as a movie theater under the name The Paramount Theater. In the 1990s, the theater was renovated, and its original name was restored.

This famous icon is based on the traditional images of the “comedy and tragedy” masks of the ancient Greek theater. The masks represent Thalia, the muse of comedy, and Melpomene, the muse of tragedy, and their respective arts.

The Willard Arts Center includes the Carr and Hall art galleries, the WAC artist studios, and the Colonial Theater. The Carr and Hall galleries display rotating exhibitions of Idaho and national artists in a variety of mediums. The Willard Arts Center has hosted everything from small business meetings to larger seminars, from weddings to birthday parties, as well as film festivals and live productions.

Pottery - Symbolizing all the different art forms. We host nine visual arts exhibitions every year in the Carr and Hall Gallery, featuring regional and national artists who work in a variety of styles and mediums.

The Civic Center for the Performing Arts, connected to Idaho Falls High School, was built in 1952 by the City of Idaho Falls. It has since become a fundamental community resource for countless local arts groups. With a larger stage and wing space, as well as seating for approximately 1,800, the Civic provides an opportunity for larger scale productions and larger attendance than the Colonial Theater.

The Civic Center is owned and maintained by the City of Idaho Falls.

This icon symbolizes the musical performances, an important part of the arts. 

ARTitorium on Broadway is an interactive art center for kids ages 0-12.

Art Supplies - We host art classes for kids year-round at ARTitorium on Broadway and in the summer at the Willard Arts Center.

The neon Swan was moved and restored during the renovation in the 1990s. It lights up whenever there is a show in the Colonial Theater.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Representative of Wine Fest. We serve beer and wine at many of our events and our annual fundraiser Colonial Uncorked features gourmet food and wine pairings

Building Transformation - The Willard Arts Center was originally renovated in the late 1990s. Between 2011 and 2014, the Arts Council transformed the old Rio Theater to become ARTitorium on Broadway. In 2022, we undertook a major renovation of the administrative offices, green room, and dressing rooms, and added the theater lobby mural by Alex Peterson of Pete and Pen.

Youth Jam is an annual three-day art festival for kids that takes place the second weekend in August. It includes live performances, art tents, community art projects, vendor booths, and more.

The Idaho Falls Arts Council welcomes thousands of school children every year to matinees in the Colonial Theater and field trips at ARTitorium on Broadway.

Art you can sit on. There are currently 45 art benches through downtown Idaho Falls and along the Idaho Falls River Walk.

Our mission, in cooperation with other arts organizations, is to educate our community and enrich its quality of life by promoting, advocating, and presenting a broad spectrum of visual and performing arts in eastern Idaho.

You are the star!

Symbolizing being a part of Historic Downtown Idaho Falls.

The Idaho Falls Arts Council facilitates ticket sales for many local and touring organizations as well as for our own season of presentations.

From 1929 until 1990, the Colonial Theater operated as a movie theater under the name The Paramount Theater.

Symbolizing all the dance performances that take place in the Colonial Theater and The Civic Center for the Performing Arts. 

Greek Key - Historic pattern to the Colonial Theater Lobby. Personally important to muralist Alex Peterson, she always remembered the pattern on the floor from when she was a girl. 

Art You Can Sit On is a collaborative project with the Idaho Falls Arts Council, the Idaho Falls Historic Downtown Foundation, the City of Idaho Falls Division of Parks and Recreation, and the City Beautification Commission.

You are an important part in the arts and we aspire to have something for everyone. 

You are the spotlight!