‘Reach for the Cheech’ in final stretch as fundraising deadline nears

Officials with the Riverside Art Museum are driving a push for donors who want to be among the first champions helping to bring the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art, Culture & Industry to downtown Riverside.

To facilitate donors wanting to be part of the “Reach for The Cheech” initial round of fundraising, there is now a simple “Text to Give” option that allows people to quickly and securely donate to the campaign, and receive a video “thank you” from Cheech Marin himself.

With a May 29 deadline fast approaching, the campaign needs only $125,000 more to reach the first $3 million that must be raised under the terms of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) approved by the Riverside City Council. The Cheech Marin Center will be a permanent home for Marin’s more than 700 works of Chicano art, including paintings, sculptures, and photography, making up the most renowned collection in the United States.

“It’s been really great to see how Riverside is coming together behind The Cheech,” said the actor, comedian, and artist Marin. “It’s one thing for a project like this to be championed by the City leaders, but it means even more that its residents and businesses are behind our center.”

Persons interested in donating any amount can text the word “Cheech” to 91-999, and then follow the instructions on the provided links. After contributing to the campaign, the donor will receive a special video message. Donors interested in a larger recognition, which includes a donor wall and VIP access to future events, are encouraged to visit www.thecheechcenter.org.

Marin himself affectionately dubbed his center “The Cheech” and the actor is already internationally recognized for his prestigious collection. Portions of this collection were part of the traveling exhibition Papel Chicano Dos: Works on Paper | From the Collection of Cheech Marin. This exhibition broke attendance records at the Riverside Art Museum during its run there in 2017, which planted the seed for the possibility of Riverside hosting his collection permanently.

The Cheech Marin Center is planned for the building that currently houses Riverside’s Main Library, which is moving to a new location a few blocks away. The center would be designed as a home of serious academic inquiry and include space for lectures, film and video screenings, classrooms and other spaces, as well as a café and a museum store.

The Riverside Art Museum integrates art into the lives of people in a way that engages, inspires, and builds community by providing high quality exhibits and art education programs that instill a lifelong love of the arts. RAM relies on the generosity of members and donors to support its exhibitions, education programs, and special events. A 60-plus-year-old, non-profit cultural arts institution housed in a National Historic 1929 building designed by Hearst Castle and AIA Gold Medal-winning architect Julia Morgan, the museum welcomes over 50,000 visitors a year. The museum is open Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday, noon – 4 p.m. For information on exhibits, events, classes, memberships, or sponsorship opportunities, visit www.RiversideArtMuseum.org. For information about the proposed Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art, Culture & Industry at the Riverside Art Museum, visit www.riversideartmuseum.org/cheech. Find us on Facebook.