News Summary
UC Irvine has officially acquired the Orange County Museum of Art, rebranding it as UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art. This merger integrates OCMA with UC Irvine’s art institute, creating a broader cultural institution. The acquisition involves assuming OCMA’s assets and staff, while admission remains free for a decade. Following the merger, each institution will operate separately until 2026, enhancing their collective art offerings in Orange County.
IRVINE, CA – UC Irvine has officially acquired the Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) and will now operate it under the name UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art. This merger combines OCMA with the UC Irvine Jack and Shanaz Langson Institute and Museum of California Art (Langson IMCA), creating a new institution focused on enhancing the cultural landscape of the region.
The acquisition follows a nonbinding letter of intent signed in June, with final approval provided by the University of California Board of Regents. As part of this process, UC Irvine will take over OCMA’s assets, employees, and outstanding debt, although the specifics regarding OCMA’s financial obligations have not been disclosed. Notably, the merger does not involve any monetary exchange.
OCMA’s facility, which occupies 53,000 square feet and was designed by renowned architecture firm Morphosis, is valued at $98 million and is situated on the Segerstrom Center for the Arts campus. Following this merger, the board of OCMA has been dissolved, and former CEO Heidi Zuckerman has stepped down from her role. UC Irvine is currently in the process of recruiting a new executive director for the newly merged organization, with plans to make an announcement by early next year.
The integration of the two institutions will lead to the combination of approximately 9,000 art pieces, including notable collections such as the celebrated Gerald Buck Collection and the Irvine Museum Collection. UC Irvine intends to relocate its California art collection, which includes the Buck Collection, to the OCMA location when the lease for its current space concludes in late 2026.
Visitor Engagement and Future Plans
Since reopening in 2022, OCMA has garnered significant attention, attracting over 10,000 visitors within the first 24 hours of operation. The museum has maintained a steady influx of visitors, tallying approximately 600,000 attendees since its reopening and sustaining an annual budget of $7.7 million.
Importantly, admission to the museum will remain free for a decade, supported by a grant from Lugano Diamonds. Both UC Irvine’s and OCMA’s current exhibitions and programming will continue to operate separately until 2026, allowing the institutions to maintain their unique offerings during this transitional phase.
Background Context
The decision to merge follows a period of financial scrutiny and leadership changes within OCMA. The recent organizational changes through this merger are seen as a strategic move to stabilize the institution and enhance its offerings, contributing positively to the cultural environment of Orange County.
UC Irvine Chancellor Howard Gillman has expressed commitment to this partnership as a means of enriching the cultural fabric of the community, reinforcing the university’s role as a leading institution in the region devoted to the arts.
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Additional Resources
- ARTnews
- Los Angeles Times
- Artforum
- Hyperallergic
- The Art Newspaper
- Wikipedia: Orange County Museum of Art
- Google Search: UC Irvine Orange County Museum of Art merger
- Google Scholar: Orange County Museum of Art UC Irvine
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Orange County Museum of Art
- Google News: Orange County Museum of Art acquisition
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COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
