Riverside Art Museum facts for kids
Built 1929, originally the YWCA
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| Established | 1967 |
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| Location | 3425 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, California |
| Type | Art museum |
The Riverside Art Museum is a cool place to see art in Riverside, California. It's located in the historic Mission Inn area. This museum is a non-profit organization, which means it's not just about making money. Instead, it focuses on using art to talk about important topics and bring people together. They also offer fun art classes and special events for everyone.
The building itself has a long history. It was first designed by a famous architect named Julia Morgan in 1929. Back then, it was a place for the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA). YWCAs were important places where women could gather and be part of city life. In 1967, the Riverside Art Association bought the building. They wanted more space for their art collection and to offer more classes to the public. The building became a historic landmark in 1982.
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History of the Riverside Art Museum Building
In 1929, the Riverside YWCA chose a spot near the Mission Inn for its new building. Frank Augustus Miller, who owned the Mission Inn, helped the YWCA get money for the project. He wanted the building to be next to his famous hotel.
The YWCA leaders hired Julia Morgan to design the building. Miller wanted a different style, but Morgan designed it in the Mediterranean Revival and Classical Revival styles. She even added a swimming pool! Today, that pool is a big hit with museum members.
In 1960, the Riverside Art Center started raising money to buy the YWCA building. It was a great size for new art shows and classes. On July 5, 1967, the YWCA officially sold the building to the Riverside Arts Center.
The building was recognized as a Registered Historic Place and a city landmark in 1982. Later, in 1992, the museum went through a big renovation. This update added a climate-control system, a library, and more space for art shows and storage.
Architecture of the Museum Building
Julia Morgan's design for the museum building is very modern for its time. It uses strong materials like reinforced concrete and has a terra-cotta tiled roof. The building mixes Mediterranean and Classical architecture styles in a unique way.
When it first opened, the first floor had a swimming pool, an open-air atrium (a fancy open space), and a gymnasium. The second floor had bedrooms, offices, and meeting rooms with a small stage. There was even a badminton court on the roof!
In the late 1930s, a garden and an outdoor fireplace were added. This was a special memorial to Ruth Muir, a former leader of the YWCA, who passed away.
Art Exhibitions at the Museum
The Riverside Art Museum usually puts on about 20 art shows each year. Some of these are travelling exhibitions, which means they come from other places. The museum often features "art that addresses social issues," showing different themes and art styles.
The museum also has its own permanent collection of about 1500 art pieces. This collection includes works by famous artists like Karl Benjamin, Rex Brandt, Millard Sheets, and Marc Chagall. You can even see some of their permanent collection online, including pieces by Leonard Baskin and Doris Rosenthal.
The Riverside Art Museum also loves to show art made by students and people from the community. They have featured works by artists from all over the world and special exhibits like architectural design awards.
Educational Programs and Events
The Riverside Art Museum offers many fun and educational programs. They have art classes and workshops for people of all ages. You can also take museum tours, join community art projects, and even have birthday parties there!
The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture
A very exciting addition to the Riverside Art Museum is The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture. It opened in June 2022. This center is a partnership between the museum, the City of Riverside, and the famous comedian Cheech Marin.
"The Cheech" is home to Cheech Marin's amazing private collection of Chicano art. Chicano art is created by Mexican-American artists. Cheech Marin said, "Together, we hope to bring every aspect of Chicano art to this region as well as the rest of the world. We have something wonderful to give." The Cheech is located nearby at 3581 Mission Inn Avenue in Riverside.
See also
- List of YWCA buildings
- List of works by Julia Morgan
- List of museums in the Inland Empire
- List of landmarks in Riverside, California
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Riverside County, California
