Palm Springs Art Museum has three locations: two in downtown and one in Palm Desert.
As the cultural and educational leader in the greater desert community, Palm Springs Art Museum provides extraordinary creative encounters. The main campus is centrally located in downtown Palm Springs and encompasses three floors of inspiring and invigorating artwork in a variety of media. The museum, which was designed by noted architect E. Stewart Williams, also contains the famed Annenberg Theater featuring an array of electrifying performances throughout the year, a lecture hall, a museum store with one-of-a-kind designer merchandise, and Persimmon Bistro .
Another building designed in the classic midcentury style by E. Stewart Williams, Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center – Edwards Harris Pavilion was formerly a bank. It is now devoted to exploring the disciplines of architecture and design—integral aspects of the Palm Springs experience. It also features the Bradford W. Bates Vault: The Museum Design Store with unique items that showcase the best in contemporary design.
The Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert – The Galen and the Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden features ongoing and temporary explorations of painting, photography, sculpture and new media. The building is LEED certified for environmental design, and is surrounded by a four-acre sculpture garden. The beautifully landscaped setting is open year-round, and hosts numerous performances and receptions.
Every Thursday evening in downtown Palm Springs there is a diverse array of artists, entertainers, assorted fruits, vegetables, fresh flowers, jewelry, international cuisine, and don't forget the sweets. Also known as the Palm Springs Street Fair, this night-time celebration invites visitors and locals to enjoy world famous Palm Canyon Drive and all the great shops, restaurants and clubs it has to offer. Don't forget to bring your dog - Palm Springs VillageFest is pet friendly.
Experience a fascinating collection of historical photos, newspaper and magazine archives, as well as oral history on the early settlers of Palm Desert, California. Prominently displayed on the walls are breath-taking aerial views from the 1940s through the 1980s of Palm Desert and the surrounding majestic mountains. Did you know General George Patton established his Motor Pool on Portola Avenue in Palm Desert during the 1940s? The Motor Pool supported the training of troops prior to battling the Germans in North Africa during WWII.
The mission of the Friends of the Desert Mountains is to preserve land, to support education, conservation and research in the Coachella Valley, and to act as the support organization for the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.
IMPACT
Acquire: Since the first land acquisition more than 15 years ago, Friends has either directly acquired or played a significant partnership role in the acquisition and conservation of over 50,000 acres of land in and around the Coachella Valley.
Preserve: Friends recognizes the responsibilities that go along with property ownership. The property management and monitoring program uses staff, volunteers, technology and just plain hard work to catalog, inspect, clean when necessary, construct barriers if required to prevent future damage, and report on the status of the land.
Support : Since the establishment of the Santa Rosa and Santa Jacinto Mountains National Monument in 2000, Friends has acted as the support group for this 280,000 acre natural landmark. The support role includes working closely with partners, the Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service, to ensure that all visitors to the area are exposed to the myriad of biological, aesthetic and cultural qualities that make this landscape so precious. There is also an active volunteer program; working with various local agencies with interests in conservation and education, Friends strives to build a greater support structure for conservation throughout the valley.
Educate: Education is at the heart of the Friends' mission. They believe that education is key to ensuring that today's success will be supported by tomorrow's leaders. Friends, through grants and contributions such as yours, supports various educational programs throughout the Coachella Valley. But Friends goes beyond funding. Educational hikes, nature talks, and work with schools is offered to share the wonder of the desert. The dedicated volunteers enjoy learning and sharing their knowledge with others. Education is passion.
Conserve: Conservation is the framework on which they are built. The goals are basic: land that is acquired is set aside in perpetuity to protect its biological, cultural, scenic, and/or recreational values for present and future generations. The approach is simple; they only acquire land from willing sellers.
Research: As an active partner with the science community, Friends has the opportunity to fund, organize and participate in a variety of programs that help to enlighten and broaden the public's understanding of the land that everyone calls home. The conservation lands are available for use by researchers, providing opportunities to share these natural classrooms with partners to pursue conservation, natural science and cultural studies.
Project Availability: Projects are available throughout the year.
Since 1924. Famous for date shakes, date ice cream, and citrus. See the free movie "The Romance and Sex Life of the Date." Reservations at The Café are taken for parties of six or more. Gluten-free friendly.
Stroll through a dozen artist-owned galleries and working studios featuring exciting collections. Original contemporary art. Nationally and internationally recognized artists. Backstreet Art District includes paintings, sculptures, photography, jewelry, ceramics, and performing arts. Experience the thrill of interacting with working artists.
Modernism buffs worldwide know that Palm Springs is a major destination for midcentury modern architecture. Every February, Modernism Week offers 11 days of design, architecture, exclusive tours and more with over 300 events scheduled. There is no shortage of modernism examples to enjoy in Palm Springs proper, but what about the remaining cities that span the oasis? Modernism and other unique forms of architecture can be found on each end of the 111 and at point in between.
Starting in Palm Springs, we've put together a sampling of lesser known locations to find hidden architectural “treasures.” Take your own road trip across Greater Palm Springs in search of these structural gems, both old and new.
Cork n' Bottle, Palm Springs
Right smack in the middle of downtown Palm Springs sits the Cork n' Bottle liquor store, a fine example of Depression Era Art Moderne with its double and triple bands of molding and symmetrical façade. The cobalt blue font welcomes patrons in with a friendly slant.
Del Marcos Hotel, Palm Springs
Designed in 1947 by beloved desert architect William F. Cody, the Del Marcos Hotel sits in Palm Springs' historic hotel and shopping district. Its angular, colorful profile resembles the jags of the mountains behind it. The bubbly namesake sign and striking tangerine colored rooflines lend a fun vibe to the building.
Ship of Desert, Palm Springs
Continuing into the mesa neighborhood from the bend where Palm Canyon turns into Highway 111, one will find the Ship of the Desert . Owned by renowned fashion designer Trina Turk and her photographer husband Jonathon Skow, the home is an example of Streamline Moderne. The couple rebuilt the entire house according to plans drafted by the original architects, Wilson and Webster with the help of Marmol Radziner – a firm known for midcentury and museum quality restorations of particular integrity.
Opened in March 2012, this distinctive campus offers ongoing and temporary exhibitions of sculpture, painting, photography and new media. Featuring several gallery areas and is home to changing exhibitions that both stand alone and complement the museum's main Palm Springs location. The 8,400 square-foot environmentally friendly building (Silver LEED Certified) is surrounded by a two-acre, lushly landscaped sculpture garden housing the works of modern and contemporary masters such as Di Suvero, Gold and Judd - a perfect setting for private and special events. The museum provides a variety of community activities, educational tours and lectures. Admission is free Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Palm Springs' fast and free option to driving around the city. BUZZ runs in a loop from the Riviera Hotel at Vista Chino and Indian through uptown and downtown along Palm Canyon Drive all the way to the Saguaro. Trolleys run every 15 minutes on Thursday through Saturday between the hours of 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
