Albany County
Lovers of the arts have a great variety of offerings in Albany County. The Albany Institute of History and Art is home to upper Hudson River region fine arts and artifacts. It has permanent as well as changing exhibits. The Empire State Plaza is the backdrop for the largest collection of modern art on public display in the country. If music and theatre are for you, the Pepsi Arena, Palace Theatre, Cap Rep and performances at The Egg fill the spectrum of performing arts. Performances and special events at a brand new amphitheatre on the banks of the historic Hudson River is Albany’s newest offering. For a schedule of events and directions, contact 800-258-3582 or www.albany.org. 

 
Fulton County
Experience the many shows and local talents at historic theatres like the Glove Theatre in Gloversville or the Colonial Little Theatre in Johnstown. See live performances by local talent. Take some time and visit some of Fulton County’s art galleries. Adirondack wood sculptures, recycled auto parts sculptures, and more visual art work. Fulton County has shows throughout the year as well as classes for artists and inspiring artists. For a calendar of arts events and artist listings call (518) 725-0641 or 800-676-3858. 

 
Rensselaer County
The grid like 18th Century design of downtown Troy provides the tourist of today with 6 superior artistic venues located short blocks from one another in architecturally stimulating Victorian Troy. The Arts Center of the Capital Region, The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, The Junior Museum, the Rensselaer County Historical Society, the New York State Theatre Institute and Revolution Hall are all right in the heart of downtown Troy. Out in the country there are band concerts and festivals in Hoosick, East Greenbush, Brunswick and Schodack. In West Sand Lake there are the Circle Theatre Players in a restored and renovated town hall. And of course, all over the county there are potters, weavers and organic growers.. 

 
Saratoga County
Arts are an integral part of visiting and living in Saratoga. First stop on your tour should be the Saratoga County Arts Center, located on Broadway next to Congress Park. Check out the always-changing exhibits and pick up brochures about artists, galleries and exhibitions through the county. Don’t miss the new Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery located on the Skidmore College campus. The Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Home Made Theater, Lake George Opera and Film Forum are just a few of the venues and organizations showcasing the performing arts. 

 
Schenectady County
Home to one of the most impressive theaters in the county, Proctor’s Theatre on State Street in downtown Schenectady, is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. The theater hosts a dazzling array of performances including shows direct from Broadway, international ballet and nationally known performers. The Civic Playhouse located in the Historic Stockade District and Schenectady Light Opera Company located on State Street in downtown also offer professional quality theater from recent Broadway hits to the avant-garde. The 440 Arts Building in downtown Schenectady is a beehive of arts activity including, dance, painting, drawing, weaving, jewelry making, and puppetry. It contains a small gallery, a puppetry studio and black box theater. The Center also produces and presents Jazz on Jay Street, a summer program of music on the pedestrian mall of Jay Street and the Kids Art Festival at the beginning of June. The New York State Folklore Society on Jay Street has a gallery offering folk art made in New York by folk and traditional artists.. Artwork represented includes woodcarving, fiber and needle arts, baskets, and furniture. 

 
Washington County
Three theaters in the county delight visitors and residents with entertainment of all kinds. The Fort Salem Theater on East Broadway in Salem (518-854-9200) was built as a church in the 1840’s. It became a theater in 1972. The Bridge Theater, located at 1 Clinton St. Bridge in Whitehall (518-499-2435), has been providing local and out of town entertainment since 1999. The theater is located on a through-truss bridge that has been closed to traffic for many years. Creative arts such as fly-tying woodcarving, photography, music and conservation are taught at a nearby building on Lake Champlain. Hubbard Hall, at 25 E. Main Street in Cambridge is a community arts center, dedicated to bringing the best of theatre, music, dance and the visual arts to our region. Founded as a not-for-profit corporation in 1978, Hubbard Hall has become a buzzing hub of cultural activity in our area, with dozens of programs and workshops.