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Palm Springs Art Museum: A Desert Oasis of Art and Culture

Explore modern & contemporary art, architecture, and design at the Palm Springs Art Museum, the cultural heart of the Coachella Valley.

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The Palm Springs Art Museum, established in 1938, has evolved into a leading cultural institution in the Coachella Valley. Located in downtown Palm Springs, the museum boasts a significant collection of modern and contemporary art, Native American and Western art, and compelling temporary exhibitions.

A brief summary to Palm Springs Art Museum

  • Monday 10 am-5 pm
  • Thursday 12 pm-8 pm
  • Friday 10 am-5 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-5 pm

Local tips

  • Visit on Thursday evenings for free admission, courtesy of the City of Palm Springs.
  • Take a docent-led tour to learn more about the museum's permanent collection.
  • Explore the outdoor sculpture gardens and the Sinatra Sculpture Court.
  • Check out the Architecture and Design Center, Edwards Harris Pavilion, for design-focused exhibitions.
  • Visit the Aluminaire House, one of the earliest examples of modernist residential design, now part of the museum's permanent collection.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    The Palm Springs Art Museum is located in downtown Palm Springs at 101 N Museum Dr. From many downtown hotels and attractions, the museum is easily accessible by foot. For example, from the Movie Colony Hotel, it's a pleasant 15-minute walk. Just head north on Palm Canyon Drive and turn east onto Museum Drive.

  • Public Transport

    SunLine Transit Agency provides bus service throughout the Coachella Valley. Several bus routes stop near the museum. Use the SunRide app to plan your trip and pay your fare. A single ride fare is $3 and includes free transfers. SunLine also offers a microtransit service called 'SunRide' which connects riders to their specified destinations via the closest point along SunLine's fixed bus network or fixed points of interest.

  • Taxi/Ride-share

    Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available in Palm Springs. A short ride from a nearby location, such as the Palm Springs International Airport, to the museum will typically cost between $15 and $25, depending on demand and traffic.

  • Driving

    The Palm Springs Art Museum is located at 101 N Museum Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262. You can access the Downtown Project Parking Garage from North Palm Canyon Drive at Amado Road in front of the Hyatt Hotel and on North Museum Drive in front of the Palm Springs Art Museum. Parking is free, but there is a four-hour time limit. Street parking is also available. Expect to pay around $5-10 for parking in nearby lots.

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Discover more about Palm Springs Art Museum

The Palm Springs Art Museum is the largest cultural institution in the Coachella Valley, serving the community through its diverse art exhibitions and programs. Founded in 1938 as the Palm Springs Desert Museum, its initial focus was on natural science exhibits and Cahuilla Indian artifacts. Over time, the museum shifted its emphasis to fine art and performing arts, officially changing its name in 2005 to reflect this evolution. The museum's main building, designed by modernist architect E. Stewart Williams in 1974, is an architectural landmark itself. The 150,000-square-foot complex houses a vast permanent collection, temporary exhibitions, two sculpture gardens, a museum store, and the Annenberg Theater. The permanent collection includes paintings, sculptures, photography, glass pieces, and Mesoamerican, Western, and Native American art. Visitors can view works by renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Andy Warhol, and Ansel Adams. In addition to its main facility, the museum includes the Architecture and Design Center, Edwards Harris Pavilion, which hosts rotating exhibitions on architecture and design. The museum also owns the Frey House II, a modernist residence designed by architect Albert Frey. The Palm Springs Art Museum offers a range of programs, including docent-led tours, art classes, workshops, and theatrical and musical performances in the Annenberg Theater. Current exhibitions include 'Guadalupe Rosales | Tzahualli: Mi memoria en tu reflejo' (Now – October 19, 2025), 'The Art and Design of Howard Smith' (Now – February 23, 2026), and 'Modern Women: The Influencers Who Shaped Palm Springs' (Now – December 29, 2025).

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