[1][2] The museum was formed from the Roswell Artist-in-Residence (RAIR) program, and displays work from the former participants.

[4][5] Donald B. Anderson had made his money in oil industry as a founder and executive at Anderson Oil Company, and later turned painter and art collector.

[6][7][8] Since June 2002, the museum has been administered by the Roswell Artist-in-Residence Foundation.

In 2017, the Roswell Artist-in-Residence (RAIR) won the Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts.

[6][9] Artists with work in the museum collection include Luis Jiménez,[10][11] Milton Resnick,[3] Olive Ayhens, Judy Richardson,[7] Johnnie Winona Ross,[12] and Robbie Barber.