The museum is a non-profit organization which focuses on addressing social issues and offers art classes as well as other events in order to inspire and build community.

[5] In 1929, the Riverside YWCA selected the corner of 7th (now Mission Inn Avenue) and Lime Streets as the site for its new building.

[5] The renovations included a climate-control system, a library, a glass roof for the garden atrium, the addition of an office, and more space for exhibitions, storage, and the kitchen.

[5] Morgan's design features reinforced concrete, wooden frames, glass doors and a terra-cotta tiled roof to give the building a modern feeling next to the Mission Inn.

A garden, and an outdoor fireplace were added in the late 1930s as a memorial to Ruth Muir, former Secretary (Executive Director), after she was brutally assaulted and murdered at the age of 48, while vacationing in La Jolla.

[3] The permanent collection of the Riverside Art Museum consists of approximately 1500 pieces including artists like Karl Benjamin, Rex Brandt, Millard Sheets, and Marc Chagall.

Cheech Marin was quoted: "Together, we hope to bring every aspect of Chicano art to this region as well as the rest of the world.