Riverside Arts Museum - Inland Empire Explorer

About

Julia Morgan, Architect

The historic structure which houses the Riverside Art Museum (RAM) was built by the renowned architect Julia Morgan. Morgan was born in San Francisco on January 20, 1872 and attended the University of California, Berkeley beginning in 1890. In 1894 she became the first woman to graduate from the university with a degree in civil engineering.
While studying at Berkeley, professor and celebrated architect Bernard Maybeck (1862-1957) recognized Morgan’s great intellect and potential. Maybeck hired Morgan to work in his studio and became her lifetime mentor, advisor, and close friend. It was Maybeck who suggested that she attend the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, and eventually Morgan became the first woman admitted to the school. In 1902, in her thirtieth year, Morgan returned to Oakland with her certification of completion and immediately began to work.

The Riverside YWCA

The Riverside YWCA was organized in 1906, but it was not until 1929, after years of developing membership, financial security, and considering three different sites that a location for Riverside’s first YWCA building was chosen. Selecting the corner of 7th (now Mission Inn Avenue) and Lime Streets, the directors of YWCA hired Morgan to draw formal plans for their new building. Pressure mounted from local business leaders, including Mission Inn owner Frank Miller. Miller’s preference was to hire an architect who would design in a similar style to that of the Mission Inn and Riverside’s Municipal Auditorium, both buildings in close proximity to the new YWCA site. However, the YWCA Directors held firm in their determination to have a place for women designed by a woman, and Morgan was ultimately hired. A ground-breaking ceremony was held on January 27, 1929. The building, based on Mediterranean and Classical architectural design elements, mingles beautifully, even now, with the Mission Revival and Spanish Revival styles of the Mission Inn and Municipal Auditorium.
For Riverside’s YWCA building, Morgan chose an innovative tri-block design, constructed with reinforced, poured-in-place concrete. This design is unique among the many YWCA’s Morgan designed. The movement and interest created by the tri-block design works not only on the exterior of the building, but also among the two interior floors. Originally, the first floor housed an indoor swimming pool, dressing rooms, and showers with an entrance lobby that faced out onto an open atrium garden. A large gymnasium and stage occupied the remaining ground-floor space. The second floor contained bedrooms, offices, and a versatile meeting room with a small stage. Concealed stairs led to a roof garden that featured an outdoor fireplace, a large view of downtown Riverside, and ample space for badminton games. Morgan’s building successfully functioned as Riverside’s YWCA for nearly 40 years.

The Riverside Art Museum

In the early 1950s, a loosely knit group of artists formed the Riverside Art Association to encourage the study and appreciation of the arts. Their first home, the Riverside Art Center, was a recently abandoned Municipal Dog Pound which City of Riverside officials leased to the Art Association for $1 a year.
By 1960, the growing Association clearly needed more space for its studio classes and numerous exhibitions. When Morgan’s YWCA building became available for sale, the Riverside Art Center purchased the building for $250,000. A successful fund drive followed and on July 5, 1967, YWCA officials formally turned over Morgan’s building to the Riverside Art Center. The transition from a YWCA building to the existing art museum was soon underway.
In 1982, Morgan’s building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and was designated a Historic Landmark by the City of Riverside.

Renovation and Renaissance

In 1990, museum trustees began a campaign to obtain funds for capital improvement. With generous assistance from the City of Riverside, the goal of $1,250,000 was attained in 1991. The following year, phase one of a three-phase renovation of Morgan’s building began. This extensive renovation produced a sophisticated climate control system, increased exhibition space, collection storage, and an office at the back entry of the building. To provide a weatherproof dining area, the garden atrium was enclosed with a glass ceiling and the kitchen area was extended to accommodate restaurant service needs. An upstairs library was made out of an unused bathroom space.
Community support for additional improvements came in 1993 when a City Block Grant and grant from the Riverside Community Foundation funded the addition of a wheelchair ramp at the rear entrance. In 1994, a landscape renovation took place that was made possible entirely through donations of materials and labor. And in 1995, the generosity of a museum member funded the completion of the R.E. Olds Conference Room. With completion of phase one, Morgan’s grand old building entered the nineties.
Currently, RAM boasts two spacious first floor galleries, two smaller second floor galleries, one of which is a permanent print gallery, and a second floor Mezzanine exhibition space. A Children’s Gallery and studio art classroom are also located on the second floor along with administrative offices.
Although the original function of Julia Morgan’s building has changed, the spirit of its precedent-setting architect will be forever preserved in the timeless quality and beautiful design of the building. Morgan’s architecture truly stands as a testimony to her fortitude, her skill, and her brilliantly enduring sensibilities.

Hours

TUESDAY through Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. * Sunday: 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
*First Thursdays: On the first Thursday of each month, the museum re-opens from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. for Arts Walk free of charge.
*First Sundays: On the first Sunday of each month (October – May), the museum participates in First Sundays, with crafts and activities for familes, free to the public, from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The museum is closed on: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday Observed, Presidents’ Day Observed, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas. Check their calendar for special dates.

Admission

Members: Free Military Families (with I.D.): Free Children under 12: Free General admission: $5 Students (with I.D.), Seniors (65+), and Educators: $3

Walk and Wonder Museum Tour

The Education Department coordinates guided tours for visitors in an accessible and engaging format. The Walk and Wonder tours of the museum’s building and exhibitions are currently available only to groups and includes a 30-minute guided curatorial tour with an hour-long art activity.