In a landmark move for the region’s cultural landscape, UC Irvine has officially completed its acquisition of the Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA), forging a new unified entity under the name UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art. UC Irvine News

A Fusion of Mission & Legacy

This merger unites two distinguished institutions in Southern California under a shared vision of public access, creative scholarship, and community engagement. The new name acknowledges OCMA’s legacy while honoring Jack and Shanaz Langson, whose philanthropy has rooted UC Irvine’s presence in the arts.

With the acquisition, UCI will steward OCMA’s 53,000-square-foot, $98 million facility at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. This space will now host not only OCMA’s contemporary programming, but also integrate UC Irvine’s Gerald Buck Collection and Irvine Museum Collection.

Meanwhile, the existing Jack & Shanaz Langson Institute & Museum of California Art on campus will continue operations at its Von Karman Avenue location in Irvine, maintaining its role in research, education, and exhibitions.

What the New Museum Brings

• A combined collection of 9,000+ works spanning California art from the 19th century to present, including both historical and cutting-edge contemporary pieces.
• Significant holdings by major names like John Baldessari, Richard Diebenkorn, Catherine Opie, Ed Ruscha, and many more.
• An expanded commitment to diversity in acquisitions, with works by Judy Baca, Shirin Neshat, Carolina Caycedo, and others.
• Continued support for the California Biennial, student-curated exhibitions, academic integration, and wider community engagement.

What Visitors & the Community Can Expect

• OCMA’s Costa Mesa facility will continue hosting its current exhibitions (for example, 2025 California Biennial: Desperate, Scared, But Social and Yoshitomo Nara: I Don’t Want to Grow Up) while the institution transitions to its unified identity.
• The Irvine site will maintain exhibitions, public programs, and education outreach from its 6,000-sq ft space.
• To facilitate connectivity between campus and museum, plans include a shuttle service for UCI students, staff, and faculty.
• A national search is underway for an executive director to lead the new museum into its next chapter.

Why This Matters for OC Arts

This union brings OCMA under the umbrella of a major research university, enhancing its academic and institutional foundations. For artists, scholars, students, and audiences across Orange County, it promises deeper cross-pollination of ideas, more robust access to collections, and expanded opportunities for creative and educational programming.

We’ll be watching closely as the UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art unfolds over the coming months and years. Stay tuned for updates on exhibitions, events, and collaborative initiatives.