The people of Albany have long had a keen interest in the arts and, what’s more, have supported them. The Albany Little Theatre boes back numerous years; the Albany Symphony Orchestra was founded more than a generation ago. The 17,056 square foot Albany Museum of Art was opened in 1983. The Civic Center is second in size only to the Omni in Atlanta. And the list goes on…

Prominent Albanians include Jim Fowler of “Wild Kingdom”; Ray Knight, who was most valuable player in the 1986 Baseball World Series; Nancy Lopez; Alice Coachman Davis, the first black woman to win an Olympic gold medal; Maude Chasen, of the legendary Chasen’s restaurant in Hollywood; Ray Charles; Ray Stevens, and Harry James.