Every community wants to think it’s a bastion for culture and art. But Rome has the goods to back up its claim as a place where good food, music, art and entertainment events converge.

“This is a community that is so supportive of the arts,” said RACA director Rebecca Koontz. “Rome has a beautiful downtown area and is so encouraging of its local artists.”

The Historic DeSoto Theatre is home to Rome Little Theatre, established in 1933, where well-known plays, musicals, and children’s shows are presented throughout the year.

For the last 75 years, the Rome Symphony has performed for the enjoyment of area citizens and visitors. It is the oldest symphony in the South. Just imagine how delightful a concert would be as you sit outside on a warm spring evening, listening to beautiful music and watching the river flowing by.

Downtown Rome is also the setting for the First Friday Concert Series.
These concerts take place at downtown’s Mitchell Plaza from May through October and, in addition to the Rome Symphony, feature top name bands. The riverbank, wonderful music, and good weather — it just doesn’t get any better than that!

Another venue for concerts and special events throughout the year is the Forum Civic Center Complex. This multiuse facility contains 34,300 square feet of exhibit space and will accommodate meetings for groups of up to 5,000. Other activities held at the Forum include conventions, basketball tournaments, circuses and ice shows.

Two museums comprehensively trace the history of Rome and Floyd County and provide cultural and educational enrichment for residents and visitors. The Rome Area History Museum and the Chieftains Museum both offer visual chronological history of the area, from the Native American period to the traditional South. Chieftains Museum is an official historic and interpretive site on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. The Gaynelle Parrish Grizzard Center of Cherokee Studies located at the Museum offers educational opportunities.
But the larger organizations aren’t the only ones contributing to arts and culture.

Smaller groups such as the Icon Theatre Company and Ninebark Press, as well as the African American Connection for the Performing Arts and the Rome International Film Festival are all a vital part of Rome’s cultural landscape.

Cultural opportunities continue to expand in this progressive city and residents have made a firm commitment to keep the area artistically rich by donating their time, money and talents.