What is Modernism Week?
Modernism Week, the only such event in the country, is an exciting 9-day celebration of mid-century modern design, architecture and culture. This design aesthetic, originated in the 1950s and 60s, was typified by clean, simple lines and celebrated elegant informality which came to define desert modernism.

In the winter of 2006, following the success of both the MODERNISM SHOW which had started in 2001 and the annual symposium organized by the ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN COUNCIL of the PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM, a few local design and architecture aficionados created MODERNISM WEEK to showcase Palm Springs' world-renowned mid-century modern architecture. (A Palm Springs Modernism Week history in .pdf format is available here.)

Among the members of the initial steering committee were representatives from the PALM SPRINGS PRESERVATION FOUNDATION, the PALM SPRINGS MODERN COMMITTEE, the PALM SPRINGS HISTORICAL SOCIETY the THE ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN COUNCIL of THE PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM.

MODERNISM WEEK has expanded into a 10 day period filled with a variety of events including architecture tours, films, lectures, an architecture symposium, educational events as well as chic and fun parties in cool mid-century modern homes. We will be celebrating our 6th Annual Palm Springs Modernism Week, February 17-27, 2011. We hope you will join us!

Palm Springs Modern Committee

The Palm Springs Modern Committee is a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to promoting and maintaining the heritage of modern architecture and design in Palm Springs and the entire Coachella Valley. Our goal is to be a meeting place for Palm Springs Modernists, both residents and nonresidents, with the ability to quickly mobilize support for urgent preservation issues.

Palm Springs Art Museum

Located downtown in an architecturally-significant E. Stewart Williams-designed building, the Palm Springs Art Museum features exciting exhibitions of contemporary, Native American, Western and Pre-Columbian art in spacious galleries. It features two sculpture gardens, stimulating lectures and educational programs for all ages, and offers diverse performances at its Annenberg Theater.

Palm Springs Art Museum, photograph by David Glomb

Palm Springs Modernism Show

The Palm Springs Convention Center will host 75 noted national and international decorative and fine arts dealers presenting all design movements of the 20th Century. The event is scheduled for February 18-20, 2011. A wide range of vintage 20th Century furniture and decorative arts will be presented and sold by 90 exhibitors, many from the West Coast, but some who come from as far away as New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Detroit, Dallas, Denver, and Miami. The show is produced by Dolphin Promotions.

Palm Springs Preservation Foundation

The Palm Springs Preservation Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is “to educate and promote public awareness of the importance of preserving the historical resources and architecture of the city of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley area.”

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