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Collections & Research


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UCR ARTS includes two collecting institutions: the California Museum of Photography and the Sweeney Art Gallery.

The CMP collection is comprised of approximately 500,000 objects and includes photographic prints, negatives, archives, books, and technology.

The Sweeney Art Gallery holds the university’s art collection, which encompasses painting, photography, sculpture, video, and artists’ books.

Click on the links to the left to learn more about our Collections.

The California Museum of Photography Collection

The CMP collection is home to approximately half a million objects including incredible photographic prints, negatives, books, technology, and more.

  • See the world’s largest collection of stereographic photographs: the Keystone-Mast Collection.
  • Explore the largest public collection of cameras in the American West.
  • Discover works by California photographers
  • View “Fiat Lux,” Ansel Adams’s iconic black-and-white images of University of California campuses.
  • Access an exemplary collection of photos by Mexican photographers from the 1980s.
  • Learn about historic works by women photographers.
  • Unearth unique vernacular photographs.
  • Find gems that mean something to you.

The Sweeney Art Gallery Collection

The Sweeney Art Gallery is home to the University of California, Riverside art collection. It includes special paintings, photographs, sculpture, videos, artist books, prints, drawings, and Southern California art since 1990.

  • Discover prints from printmaking masters June Wayne, Claes Oldenburg, Robert Rauschenberg, and Sister Corita Kent.
  • See sculptures by Yoram Wolberger, Roland Reiss, Isamu Noguchi, Dewain Valentine, and Rachel Lachowicz.
  • View drawings, paintings, and mixed media works by Joe Biel, the Date Farmers, Sean Duffy, Reanne Estrada, Jim Isermann, and Gabriela León.

You Are Welcome to Conduct Research

Whether you’re researching photo history, vintage technology, producing an artist documentary, or just a very curious person, everyone is welcome to come explore our collections. Get inspired. Get the facts. All are welcome to come research and explore!

Access Objects Not On Display 

Did you know that only a tiny fraction of our collections are on display? See the hidden treasures by scheduling a special research appointment.

TO MAKE A RESEARCH APPOINTMENT

The research library is open for in-person appointments. To schedule an appointment, please contact alyse.yeargan@ucr.edu. Virtual research resources can be accessed below.

RESEARCH FROM HOME

Explore our virtual collections database here.

Use the Online Archives of California to help.

Search Travel Photo Base, a promised gift to UCR ARTS.

Contact Us

For general inquiries, please email ucrarts@ucr.edu