News Summary
The University of California, Irvine and the Orange County Museum of Art have signed a nonbinding letter of intent for a potential merger. This move aims to integrate OCMA under UCI’s control and enhance cultural and educational offerings in the community. With OCMA’s new building opening in 2022 and the upcoming California Biennial, both institutions are exploring the logistics of the merger, which could be voted on by the Board of Regents in the fall.
Irvine, California – The University of California, Irvine (UCI) and the Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) have taken a significant step towards a potential merger by signing a nonbinding letter of intent. This merger, if approved by the University of California Board of Regents in the fall, would place OCMA under UCI’s control, integrating it with UC Irvine’s Langson Institute and Museum of California Art.
This announcement comes in the wake of OCMA’s CEO, Heidi Zuckerman, announcing her decision to step down in December. As both institutions embark on this endeavor, the Orange County Museum of Art is gearing up to launch its 2025 California Biennial, titled “Desperate, Scared, But Social,” just a week after the merger announcement. According to OCMA board chair David Emmes, the partnership aims to enhance their mission and broaden educational opportunities, positioning the museum as a cultural cornerstone for the community.
The new OCMA building, which was designed by the architecture firm Morphosis, opened its doors in October 2022. The structure cost approximately $93 million and encompasses 53,000 square feet. Following its grand opening, the museum attracted over 10,000 visitors within the first 24 hours, and thanks to a generous donation from Lugano Diamonds, it will offer free admission for the first ten years. However, some architectural critics have remarked that the new building appears to be unfinished.
OCMA boasts a contemporary collection that encompasses a wider range of artworks compared to UCI’s more focused collection on California art, including pieces from the early 20th-century California Impressionist movement. Should the merger occur, UCI would scrap its current plans to construct a new museum on campus, merging these efforts into the OCMA framework.
Currently, UC Irvine is in the early phases of conducting a search for a director for its museum. However, with the prospect of a merger, the parameters of this search may soon change. Notably, OCMA has not yet initiated a search for a new CEO, but it may combine efforts with UCI’s director search should the merger move forward.
Additionally, the merger would lead to the addition of the Buck Collection to OCMA’s holdings. This significant collection comprises over 3,200 works from renowned California artists, donated to UCI in 2017 by Gerald Buck. UC Irvine Chancellor Howard Gillman has expressed optimism regarding the partnership, emphasizing its potential to broaden access to the arts and foster future artists and scholars.
The Board of Regents is expected to cast a vote on the merger proposal in the fall. In the meantime, both institutions are engaged in exploratory discussions concerning the logistics of the merger as they work towards what could be a transformative initiative for the cultural landscape of Orange County.
This potential merger represents a strategic collaboration that could greatly benefit both UCI and OCMA, allowing for a more diverse and expansive array of artistic and educational offerings for the local community and beyond.
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Additional Resources
- The Art Newspaper: Orange County Museum Art Possible Merger
- Wikipedia: Orange County Museum of Art
- OC Register: UC Irvine OC Museum of Art Soon Might Merge
- Google Search: University of California Irvine
- LA Times: Essential Arts UC Irvine Orange County Museum Art
- Google Scholar: California art
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Contemporary Art
- Google News: UCI OCMA merger
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTINGTON BEACH
The Huntington Beach Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntington Beach, 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 Huntington Beach Surf City USA Marathon, the U.S. Open of Surfing, Fourth of July celebrations at the Huntington Beach Pier, and community festivals at Huntington Beach Central Park. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visit Huntington Beach, plus leading businesses in retail, hospitality, and outdoor recreation that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERESantaAna.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
