Clear skies and desert landscapes aren’t the only highlights in Palm Springs this season- the city’s art scene is thriving with must-see exhibitions.

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As a cultural leader in the greater desert community, the Palm Springs Art Museum offers extraordinary experiences, drawing from its collections of modern and contemporary art as well as traditional art of the Americas. With a fantastic programme of rotating exhibitions, the museum presents the largest retrospective print exhibition of David Hockney’s career to date (23 Nov 2024 – 31 Mar 2025), exploring his bold experiments with perspective and early expressions of gay identity, reshaping how we view the world.

Exit the museum and don’t miss your last chance to see Forever Marilyn, Seward Johnson’s striking 26-foot tribute to Hollywood’s golden age and Palm Springs' storied past. While controversial, the statue has sparked conversation, with some celebrating its homage to the actress, while others critique its portrayal and the male gaze it embodies. Following a legal battle, the statue will soon be relocated to a new spot in Downtown Park.

A 10-minute walk south, the Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center – Edwards Harris Pavilion shifts focus to architectural and spatial design with So Near, So Far (5 Oct – 15 May) by Ryan Preciado. This exhibition honours Nicaraguan-American carpenter Manuel Sandoval, blending heritage and contemporary art in his first solo museum show.

Commercial galleries also feature an outstanding lineup of exhibitions. Heather James Fine Art offers a rare opportunity to explore art history's past and present, with works spanning Post-War, Contemporary, Impressionist, Modern, American, Latin American, and Old Masters. A highlight is the ongoing solo exhibition of Hans Hofmann, the influential American post-war painter whose legacy has had a profound impact on abstraction.

In El Paseo, animal lovers will appreciate CODA Gallery’s solo exhibition Urban Animals by Lucia Heffernan (6 - 20 Dec), featuring whimsical oil paintings of animals in human situations. Sculpture enthusiasts will find Melissa Morgan Fine Art on El Paseo Drive, which houses 6,000 square feet of indoor space and a half-acre outdoor sculpture garden. Highlights include works by Ed Moses, Carole A. Feuerman, and Anthony James’s Portal Icosahedron, a stunning light sculpture perfect for social media snaps.

For a more local and intimate experience, head to the Backstreet Art District, a hidden gem of local galleries and artist studios. While it may look like a mini-mall, this enclave showcases desert-inspired art in various mediums and budgets, with the bonus of framing and other artistic services. Top tip: Be sure to join the art walk on the first Wednesday of each month – a unique opportunity to meet local artists and connect with galleries!