UC Irvine Assumes Management of Orange County Museum of Art

**UC Irvine Acquires Orange County Museum of Art**

The Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) has become part of the University of California, Irvine, in a merger that aims to create a new institution, the UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art. This move integrates OCMA with the UC Irvine Jack and Shanaz Langson Institute and Museum of California Art (Langson IMCA). OCMA’s collection, bolstered by a culturally rich history since its inception in 1962, will now benefit from expanded curatorial and programming opportunities under UC Irvine’s administration.

Following this acquisition, UC Irvine will manage a collection consisting of over 9,000 art pieces, equally split between the institutions. With its new home in a 53,000-square-foot building designed by Morphosis, co-located within the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, OCMA offers a strategic locality for art enthusiasts.

The transition arrives during a challenging phase for OCMA. The museum recently faced organizational turbulence, including significant board member turnover and financial controversies. For instance, its major donor, Mordechai “Moti” Ferder, is embroiled in legal issues related to fraud and theft. Despite these challenges, both entities remain committed to providing free public admission, aided by contributions like those from Lugano Diamonds.

On a strategic front, a search is underway to appoint a director for the new institution, expected to ignite fresh leadership and vision. While the merger sets out a pathway for unification, OCMA and Langson IMCA will continue their respective programming through 2026, preserving their individual identities.

The future of this amalgamated establishment not only promises a richer cultural repository but also heralds a new chapter in independent arts journalism and education, reflecting UC Irvine’s continuous dedication to arts excellence.