The Victor Valley’s Arts Scene Is Diverse and Flourishing

The Town of Apple Valley

The Victor Valley is more than desert and mountain views. Across Victorville, Apple Valley, Hesperia and Adelanto, a thriving arts and culture community is transforming historic venues and modern spaces into places of connection, creativity and local pride. 

“It’s all about creating moments where art, music and community connect,” says Sarah Krieg, public information officer for the Town of Apple Valley. 

Singh Center for the Arts 

What started as a 14-screen movie theater is now the Singh Center for the Arts in Apple Valley, a 55,000-square-foot facility bringing film, fine art and live performance to life. 

A dedicated theater for local productions is being built as well as a TV studio for even more creative opportunities. Recent events have included a high school film festival, student exhibitions and a concert where American Idol winner Chayce Beckham gave away over 50 guitars to local kids. 

“Apple Valley’s arts scene is growing,” Krieg says, “and we’re just getting started.” 

The Town of Apple Valley

Legacy Museums 

After the Roy Rogers Museum in Victorville closed in 2003, longtime educator and artist Marcy Taylor helped preserve its spirit through the Apple Valley and Victor Valley Legacy Museums. Taylor, president of the Mohahve Historical Society and vice chair of the Apple Valley Historical Advisory Committee, turned the museums into vibrant community resources. 

Highlights include Roy Rogers’ cleated golf boots, a preserved pigeon mail capsule from the 1940s and 33 handcrafted Terri Lee dolls celebrated for their multicultural representation. 

“People don’t expect to see golf boots,” Taylor says. “But he was an athlete. He said if people were coming for a photo, they wanted Roy Rogers, not just a guy in golf shoes.” 

But these aren’t just nostalgic spots. The museums share deeper stories tied to the region’s rich cultural landscape. 

“Apple Valley has an interesting history, starting with the Native American settlements along the Mojave River, the Black homesteaders in the Bell Mountain area, the orchards and cattle ranches,” Taylor says. 

Some of these histories, including the story of the Bell Mountain Black homesteader community, have been featured in the Smithsonian’s Green Book traveling exhibit for the past five years. 

The museums regularly participate in regional events, such as movie nights, historical reenactments and local fairs, and continue evolving with the community. Taylor also leads the High Desert Jammers, a house band of local and professional musicians who perform at parades and museum events. 

Artists of the High Desert 

Based in Hesperia, Artists of the High Desert (AHD) has provided classes and events for 60 years. Initially founded by five women who met in an oil painting class, the nonprofit now hosts instruction in watercolor, sculpture, gel printing and more. 

Cyndy Mandell, corresponding secretary for AHD, says its mission is to bring people together through art. 

“We recently had a 17-year-old return to teach teen classes. She started with us when she was 8,” Mandell says. “And one of our most dedicated members is turning 102 this year.” 

Thanks to a grant from IEHP Foundation, the organization offers free children’s classes and plans to open a permanent studio and gallery for the High Desert community. 

Courtesy of Marcy Taylor

Adelanto Plaza & Event Center 

At the Adelanto Plaza & Event Center, creativity comes to life on a grand scale. With an amphitheater that seats over 3,800 and a multiuse field that transforms into a stage, the space hosts concerts, cultural festivals and community events throughout the year. The site also includes a clubhouse, an announcer booth and more than 800 parking spaces, making it a regional draw for large-scale arts and entertainment. 

A Cultural Thread 

From musical theater at local high schools to storytelling through murals and student films, the Victor Valley arts scene reflects a community deeply invested in its heritage and future. Museums preserve local legacies, creatives lead passionately, and every generation has a seat at the table. 

“We might not have the Broadway theaters I fell in love with in New York,” Krieg says, “but we have something better: A tight-knit community of artists who show up for one another and cheer one another on.”