Orange County Center for Contemporary Art

OCCCA is a space that invites artists to think about their practice as research and to  develop ideas, exhibitions and projects.  It is a space conducive to self-organized initiatives and the sharing of artistic resources.

It recognizes the importance of social engagement, global networking, intellectual exchange, information sharing, critical dialogue and collaboration. 

It recognizes the social and cultural value of artistic experimentation and serves artists through exhibitions, publicity and publications.

It is committed to honoring the legacy of the alternative space movement by continuing the tradition with new generations of artists and it emphasizes the work itself, what John Cage called, “the quality of encounter.”

It also presents cutting-edge art within a forward-thinking intellectual framework and its ambitious program of events weaves contemporary art into the fabric of everyday life.

 Founded in 1980, located in Santa Ana’s Artist Village, OCCCA is a non-profit, 501 (3) c corporation, dedicated to the pursuit of professional excellence in the arts, a constantly changing showcase for artists, educators, and community activists.  OCCCA recognizes the importance of social engagement, global networking, intellectual exchange, critical dialogue, and the collaborative process. OCCCA is a think-tank for contemporary art, an incubator of new ideas. The independent artists who operate OCCCA are fond of unfettered experimentation, unafraid of grappling with difficult issues. OCCCA presents exhibitions of contemporary art, along with concerts, performances, art classes, symposiums, and publications. During its thirty-seven year history as an artist-run “alternative space,” OCCCA has exhibited the work of an impressive roster of artists and curators. Participants from all over the world apply to OCCCA’s legendary open calls for art, and fly in from distant cities to attend opening night festivities.