California city allots $1M a year to Cheech Marin art museum

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — The Southern California city of Riverside has approved plans to remodel its main library to display Cheech Marin’s art collection and commit about $1 million of city money a year to help pay operational costs, according to a newspaper report.

The Riverside City Council voted 4-0 to greenlight the renovation of the 1960s building that will reopen as the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art and Culture late this year, the Press-Enterprise reported Wednesday. A new main library is being constructed a few blocks away.

Under the plan, the city will enter into a 25-year contract with the Riverside Art Museum to run the centre.

The newspaper says so far Marin, a California native, has donated 11 masterpieces, with 500 additional pieces expected once there’s a proper storage facility.

The 74-year-old actor and comedian of Cheech & Chong fame is considered one of the world’s foremost art collectors, according to the newspaper.

The Riverside Art Museum is financing the $13 million renovation with a state grant and donations. The city will cover annual operating costs of about $1 million.

Proponents say the new museum will boost downtown Riverside’s economy. But opponents worry the 25-year agreement could hamstring the city’s finances over the long run.

The Associated Press