Bakersfield Museum of Art is a long-standing cultural institution in Bakersfield devoted to visual art as both a creative practice and a public good. Its mission is to inspire and engage diverse audiences through exhibitions, preservation of fine art, education, community outreach, and special events. The museum emphasizes access to the visual arts, thoughtful and diverse exhibitions, and the preservation of California art history, with programs designed to connect art to everyday civic life. In 2001, the museum opened a new building and later expanded to 17,400 square feet, reflecting its continued investment in serving the community through shared experiences with visual art.