Special focus is given to exhibitions and engagement that connect relevant arts to the region's history, ranging from Native Americans and pioneers to aerospace.

[citation needed] Acquisitions of art objects centered on early California landscape painting and figurative painting and objects of historical significance, including Native American artifacts, geological specimens and other artifacts related to the history of the Antelope Valley.

[2] In a public/private partnership between the City of Lancaster and InSite Development, the new Museum was relocated to a new building, acting as anchor for the revitalized downtown.

Setting the tone for future exhibitions, "Smooth Operations" concentrated on the postwar years in and around Los Angeles, when experimentation with unorthodox materials and techniques led to the emergence of artistic movements such as “Finish Fetish” and “Light and Space.” Among the artists featured in Smooth Operations were Larry Bell, DeWain Valentine, Ronald Davis, Craig Kauffman, Judy Chicago, Roland Reiss, Norman Zammitt, Fred Eversley, VASA, Doug Edge, Terry O’Shea and Jerome Mahoney[7] Other exhibitions have included Gary Lang, Jorg Dubin, and Tim Youd, as well as group shows.

The Cedar Center for the Arts has had a long history as a meeting place for local visual artists and performers.