For a change of pace from Rancho Cucamonga, the Chaffey Community Museum of Art offers a look at visual art from across the Inland Empire and beyond, in Ontario. Its permanent collection and changing exhibitions make it a regional art museum worth considering during a stay at a two-star motel in Rancho Cucamonga.
- Location: 217 S. Lemon Avenue, Ontario, California 91761
- Collection: Permanent works are held in public trust, with selections displayed in the Line Gallery
- Public hours: Open Thursday to Sunday; closed Monday to Wednesday
- Admission: Contact the museum to confirm current fees
What the museum presents
The Chaffey Community Museum of Art presents visual art from the region alongside works from its permanent collection. The museum says it has shared art with Inland Southern California residents since 1941, beginning as an art association before developing into a regional museum.
Four galleries support that mix: three feature work by artists living and working in the Inland Empire, while another is devoted to the museum collection. Selections from the permanent collection are always on view in the Line Gallery, offering a continuing thread alongside changing displays.
The museum’s current Ontario building has its own local history. It is Ontario Historic Landmark No. 36; the Ontario Electric Company built a powerhouse there in 1907 and added offices in 1919. CCMA moved to the site in 2013 from the J. Filippi Winery in Rancho Cucamonga.
Location and getting there
The museum is at 217 S. Lemon Avenue in Ontario, not in Rancho Cucamonga. From the New Kansan Motel, allow about 15 minutes by car or 102 minutes on foot.
Across the street, the Ontario Museum of History and Art makes a natural nearby pairing. If you are planning time in the city centre as well, this guide to Rancho Cucamonga’s city centre covers that part of town.
The two institutions hold a themed joint exhibition every two years.
What are the Chaffey art museum hours and admission?
It is closed on Easter, July 4, Thanksgiving and Black Friday, December 24 through December 31, and New Year’s Day. Because hours and closures can affect your plans, check the official site before you go.
Opening hours
- Thursday to Sunday: 12 PM–4 PM
- Monday to Wednesday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
For current admission details, contact the museum directly at (909) 463-3733 or info@chaffeymuseum.org. A past local publication described admission as free, but that is not a current official confirmation, so verify before setting out.
Exhibitions change, while selected works from the permanent collection remain on view in the Line Gallery. Check the museum’s current listings if you want to plan around a particular exhibition.
Accessibility and visit planning
Plan your visit around the public opening window, and confirm admission and holiday hours with the museum before you travel. If you are hoping to see a particular display, check its current exhibition information rather than relying on older event announcements. For local travel planning, how to get around Rancho Cucamonga is a useful companion.
The address is in central Ontario, and the museum’s location across the street from the Ontario Museum of History and Art can help you plan a combined cultural outing. The two museums’ joint themed exhibition follows a biennial pattern.
FAQs
Where is the Chaffey Community Museum of Art?
It is at 217 S. Lemon Avenue, Ontario, California 91761. Despite its connection to the Inland Empire and Pomona Valley, it is not in Rancho Cucamonga.
When is the museum open?
Open Thursday to Sunday; closed Monday to Wednesday. Holiday closures apply, so confirm the schedule before your visit.
Is admission free?
A past local publication reported free admission, but that does not confirm the current policy. Contact the museum to check current fees.
What can you see at the museum?
CCMA has four galleries, including one for its collection and three for artists working in the Inland Empire. Selected permanent-collection works are always displayed in the Line Gallery.