The museum's signature 'floating' gallery is held up by a steel truss system that minimizes internal columns.
The building's white facade is composed of glass fiber reinforced concrete, designed to echo the curves of nearby performing arts venues.
OCMA maintains a significant archive of the California Biennial, an exhibition series that highlights regional artists.
The structure features a dedicated community space known as the 'Light Box' which is designed to host public programming.
The building layout intentionally prioritizes natural light, utilizing large skylights and expansive windows to minimize reliance on artificial illumination.
The Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) is a contemporary art institution located on the campus of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. Designed by architect Thom Mayne of Morphosis, the building features a distinctive, sculptural white form with an expansive open-air staircase and a dramatic cantilevered gallery. The museum holds a collection of over 4,500 objects, with a heavy emphasis on 20th and 21st-century works produced in California. Its architecture is characterized by a fluid, porous connection between indoor exhibition spaces and an outdoor sculpture terrace. The facility serves as a cultural anchor within the South Coast Metro area. Exhibitions rotate frequently, focusing on both established international artists and emerging regional talent. The museum is a non-profit institution that transitioned to this custom-built location in late 2022.
The dramatic grand staircase leading up to the main gallery level.
Check the digital calendar before visiting to see if any temporary installations are currently undergoing change-over.
Utilize the outdoor terrace for a view overlooking the surrounding Segerstrom Center campus.
The museum shop curates a collection specifically focused on contemporary design and regional artists.
Assuming the museum is still located at its previous Newport Beach site; ensure navigation is set to the Costa Mesa campus.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Standard museum decorum: no flash photography in designated areas, do not touch the artwork, and keep voices low in galleries.
