Creation of a New, Independent Artists’ Program Under Way
As Palm Springs Art Museum’s Artists Council achieves a milestone 50th anniversary, it was announced today that the group is creating a new, independent artists’ program for the Coachella Valley. This incarnation of the Council will continue to provide artist members with services such as networking, educational and exhibition opportunities, but will allow for greater expansion and increased partner relations.
The Artists Council was originally formed and affiliated with the Palm Springs Desert Museum when the museum’s focus was not on fine arts but rather natural history and sciences. During those early years, the Council sponsored exhibitions of local artists at the facility, laying the groundwork for a future art museum.
By the mid-2000s, the Museum had moved away from its original focus and was renamed the Palm Springs Art Museum. Since then, the Museum has built a curatorial staff of national reputation, grown its art collections, and mounted highly acclaimed exhibitions designed to bring the best of regional, national and international art to the Coachella Valley.
Over the past decade, the Artists Council has increased in size, ambition, and scope. While operating under the umbrella of the Museum, its expansive plans in recent years have frequently taken its programs off-site. Working with new partners, it has brought its services to the broader community, mounted art exhibitions, and realized success in various locations throughout the Valley.
“The Museum’s Board of Trustees celebrates the Council’s long years of service and programming,” said Elizabeth Armstrong, the Museum’s JoAnn McGrath Executive Director, “…and looks forward to its exciting growth and contributions to the artists’ community over the next 50 years.”
The council’s current chair, Mary Ann Sutherland, remarked, “Like true vanguards, the Artists Council has always been at the forefront of change. This wonderful new model will provide amazing opportunities to the artists of the Coachella Valley and the Inland Empire.”
On February 27, the Artists Council honored long-time philanthropists and visionary community patrons Barbara and Jerry Keller. Throughout the rest of the year, it will present additional programs in collaboration with the Museum, concluding with its hallmark Artists Council Exhibition opening on October 20.
For information about Palm Springs Art Museum hours, locations, exhibitions, admission prices, membership opportunities and ongoing exhibitions, please visit https://www.psmuseum.org or call (760) 322-4800.
About Palm Springs Art Museum
Palm Springs Art Museum is the largest cultural institution in the Coachella Valley and includes three locations in Palm Springs and Palm Desert. The flagship building is located in downtown Palm Springs and features compelling art exhibitions, a vast permanent collection, and the 428-seat Annenberg Theater, all in a 150,000 square foot, architecturally-significant building. Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center, Edwards Harris Pavilion, features exhibitions and programming that explore the rich topics of architecture and design. Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert is an 8,400 square foot, Silver LEED-certified building named The Galen that presents rotating exhibitions and special collections. It is surrounded by the four-acre Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden featuring important sculpture works. Admission to the Palm Desert location is free, generously underwritten by Helene V. Galen. For more information, call 760-322-4800, visit psmuseum.org, and follow the museum on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
