A photo collage with a picture of the La Quinta Museum in the background with the Riverside County Arts & Culture Month passport in the forefront.
The inaugural Riverside County Arts & Culture Month started March 1. (Image courtesy of Riverside County)

Today marks the start of a new month, and the start of a new tradition in Riverside County — one that organizers hope will highlight the county’s diverse artistic landscape for years to come.

“This monthlong celebration will highlight the rich and vibrant arts and culture that brands Riverside County as extraordinary,” Suzanne Holland, economic development director, said at the Feb. 27 board of supervisors meeting. “With this initiative, our goal is to shine a spotlight on the arts and culture experiences, as well as the economic impact, that showcases Riverside County as a beautiful and enriching place to live, to work, to play and to visit.”

The monthlong celebration, organized by the Riverside County Office of Economic Development in partnership with the Riverside Arts Council and the California Desert Arts Council, features a number of events for people to enjoy at participating locations across the county. Events include museum exhibitions, community events, festivals and more.

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“We invite residents and visitors to discover and enjoy Riverside County Arts and Culture Month,” Holland said. “[Visitors can] pick up [an] exploration passes at any of the 36 Riverside County library branches, 14 city libraries and over 50 participating locations. Each site will feature a unique stamp to commemorate your visit and serve as a cherished memory.”

A free kickoff event is scheduled to take place tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Edward-Dean Museum & Gardens, 9401 Oak Glen Road in Cherry Valley. The event will feature art, live entertainment, a wine tasting, painting sessions and museum tours.

“We’re excited about the opportunities that Riverside County Arts and Culture Month presents now and for the future years to come,” Holland said.

According to a recent study, the arts and culture industry generated over $185 million in economic activity for Riverside County in 2022, Holland said.

More information — including a list of participating locations and a calendar of events — can be found online here.

The Riverside Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news outlet providing Riverside County with high-quality journalism free of charge. We’re able to do this because of the generous donations of supporters like you!

Alicia Ramirez is the publisher of The Riverside Record and the founder and CEO of its parent company Inland Empire Publications.