Cheech Marin Center Nears Funding Goal

Margaret Garcia, Burning Yucca. Collection of Cheech Marin

The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art, Culture & Industry has announced a $750,000 gift from Bank of America. That puts the fund-raising total at about $14 million, nearing a $15 million goal.

"The Cheech," to be affiliated with the Riverside Art Museum, will occupy the former Riverside Public Library (1964). The transformation is being helmed by wHY Architects and Page & Turnbull (the same team tapped by the ill-fated Marciano Art Foundation). Opening of the Marin Center is projected for fall 2021—perhaps a few months ahead of George Lucas' museum.

Marin continues to collect. New acquisitions by Carlos Almaraz, Gronk, and Frank Romero will be on view at the Riverside Art Museum Jan, 18-22, 2020.