Rep. Takano Celebrates Riverside Art Museum as a 2023 Recipient of the Nation’s Highest Museum and Library Honor
RIVERSIDE, CA – Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement celebrating the Riverside Art Museum’s selection as one of eight recipients of the 2023 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities.
“Congratulations to the Riverside Art Museum and the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture on receiving the esteemed 2023 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. This well-deserved recognition is a testament to their groundbreaking work in showcasing Chicano art and culture, bridging gaps in representation, and fostering inclusivity within our community,” said Rep. Mark Takano. “The Riverside Art Museum has truly set a new standard of excellence, and we celebrate their dedication to preserving and celebrating the vibrant heritage of the Inland Empire. This award is a proud moment for the 39th Congressional District and a shining example of the transformative power of art.”
“This award is a testament to what inspiring transformation can occur when a group of people come together with the goal to uplift and celebrate the human experience through art,” said Drew Oberjuerge, Executive Director, Riverside Art Museum. “Our Trustees and staff have prioritized community voices and community collaboration which resulted in the establishment of The Cheech and the ongoing innovation of our organization and programs.”
The mission of the Riverside Art Museum (RAM) is “to integrate art into the lives of people in a way that engages, inspires, and builds community by presenting thought-provoking exhibits and providing quality art classes that instill a lifelong love of the arts.” Originally formed in the early 1950s by a loosely knit group of artists, RAM is a nonprofit museum with two locations: the Riverside Art Museum, housed in a National Historic 1929 building designed by Hearst Castle and AIA Gold Medal-winning architect Julia Morgan, and The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture (The Cheech), which opened June 18, 2022. The 60-plus-year-old cultural arts institution strives to be a distinguished, yet accessible institution that serves as a cultural, collaborative, and educational focal point for its diverse community.