RCAA defines art as what artists make and intend to be art, and affirms the powerful role that local artists play in strengthening communities. We believe art can inspire, challenge, heal, and connect, creating space for both personal reflection and collective dialogue.

Our membership includes artists from diverse cultural backgrounds, disciplines, and lived experiences that reflect the Inland Empire’s vibrant communities. This diversity is foundational to our work, shaping the stories we tell and the communities we serve. Our board of directors, made up entirely of local artists, ensures our programs stay grounded, relevant, and responsive.

RCAA is guided by two core goals: to promote and exhibit the work of local artists through rotating shows, installations, and sales opportunities; and to foster connection through artist networking, public dialogue, and civic engagement.

You’ll find our work not only in our Riverside gallery, but also in libraries, schools, city buildings, and neighborhood centers. We organize exhibitions, performances, workshops, and collaborative projects in accessible community spaces, intentionally reaching audiences often excluded from traditional arts institutions. Our approach is rooted in inclusion, access, and cultural relevance.

We also partner with regional nonprofits and cultural institutions to deepen impact, particularly in historically underserved communities. Fundraising events help sustain this mission. Programs include Mind the Gender Gap in the Arts, a panel and exhibit on equity in creative fields; Pages of Pride with The Black Deaf Project, highlighting Deaf and Black identity; and exhibitions like Down the Rabbit Hole and Members Autumn Exhibit, exploring themes from surrealism to social justice. In all we do, RCAA upholds the arts as a transformative public good.

Organization primarily serves: Inland Empire communities, particularly historically underserved neighborhoods and underrepresented artists.
Organization provides the following services: Visual arts exhibitions, public programming, educational workshops, artist networking, and culturally relevant community engagement.