Veterans Memorial Auditorium (Providence, Rhode Island) facts for kids
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| Address | One Avenue of the Arts Providence, Rhode Island |
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| Owner | State of Rhode Island |
| Operator | Professional Facilities Management |
| Type | Performing arts center |
| Capacity | 1,931 |
| Opened | January 27, 1950 |
| Website | |
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Veterans Memorial Auditorium--Masonic Temple
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| Area | 1.25 acres (0.51 ha) |
| Built | 1927 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 93001181 |
| Added to NRHP | November 16, 1993 |
Veterans Memorial Auditorium, often called The VETS, is a famous performing arts theater. It is located in Providence, Rhode Island. Construction on this building started way back in 1928. However, it was delayed by a tough economic time called the Great Depression. The theater finally opened its doors in 1950.
The VETS is one of the oldest places for arts in Rhode Island. It is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a very important historical building.
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Inside The VETS
The VETS is a beautiful concert hall with 1,931 seats. It has the biggest theater stage in all of Rhode Island. The stage features a fancy, gold-decorated arch called a proscenium arch. Look up, and you'll see amazing paintings on the ceiling. These paintings show stories and symbols.
What Happens at The VETS?
The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra performs many concerts here each year. The VETS also hosts a wide variety of other events. You can see different shows, rehearsals, and art displays. There are also concerts, educational events, and meetings. It's a busy place for the arts!
Saving The VETS
After it opened in 1950, the theater started to get old and worn out. In the early 1980s, the state of Rhode Island thought about closing it. They even considered turning the area into a parking lot!
A Community Effort
In 1983, a group called the Veterans Memorial Auditorium Preservation Association (VMAPA) was formed. Their goal was to save the auditorium. They worked hard for five years. In 1988, the Governor gave them $5 million to fix up the building.
Since then, The VETS has been a lively center for the arts. In 2015, it had more updates. These changes made it a very modern place for performances. The Renaissance Providence Hotel is right next to The VETS. This hotel used to be the Masonic Temple.
Who Performs Here?
Five main arts groups perform at The VETS:
- FirstWorks
- The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra
- Festival Ballet Providence
- The Rhode Island International Film Festival
- The Art League Rhode Island
See also
