REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 1, 2026
FROM
DAVID MYERS, Director, Museum
SUBJECT
Title
Acceptance of Donation of Art Collection from Joshua Tree Highlands Artist Residency
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Authorize the San Bernardino County Museum to accept a donation of 149 individual works of art with a donor-assessed value of $271,450, from Joshua Tree Highlands Artist Residency, to be used in museum exhibits and interpretive programming.
(Presenter: David Myers, Director, 798-8608)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote the Countywide Vision.
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Acceptance of this donation will not require additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). Adequate appropriation has been included in the Museum's 2026-27 budget for all costs associated with managing, preserving, and exhibiting the donated artwork.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The recommended action authorizes the acceptance of a donation of 149 individual works of art from Joshua Tree Highlands Artist Residency (JTHAR). Founded in 2007, JTHAR is a nonprofit artist residency that invites artists from around the world to create work inspired by the beauty of Joshua Tree National Park and connect to the vibrant local artistic community. The residency provides scholarship funds, accommodations, studio space and exhibition opportunities for participating artists.
Each residency participant donates at minimum one piece of artwork to JTHAR, resulting in a significant collection that reflects a wide range of artistic interpretations of San Bernardino County’s desert environment. The County Museum has developed a collaborative relationship with JTHAR by exhibiting works created through the residency program. As the Museum continues to expand its art program and collection, and JTHAR seeks a long-term institutional partner capable of providing appropriate collections stewardship, both organizations identified an opportunity to preserve and share this collection for the benefit of the public. The collection includes works created by nationally and internationally acclaimed artists who drew inspiration from the County’s unique natural landscape, particularly the Joshua Tree region.
Acceptance of this collection directly supports the County Board of Supervisors’ (Board) approved mission and the Museum’s Collecting Policy to “preserve and share the cultural and natural heritage of San Bernardino County and the region” which was approved by the Board on February 14, 2017 (Item No. 36).
This collection of works of art has been valued by the donor at $271,450. Per County Policy 06-01 and Standard Practice 06-01SP, Board approval is required to accept gifts or donations valued over $10,000.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Kaleigh Ragon, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on June 16, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Matthew Dalton, Administrative Analyst, 387-5005) on July 30, 2026.