Orange County Center for Contemporary Art is a corporation operating as an Affiliate-run, uncensored, community gallery since its inception in 1980.

OCCCA began through the vision of its five founding members, Richard Aaron, Robert Cunningham, Suvan Geer, Alhena Scott, and Carol Stella. The inaugural exhibition, in September of 1980, featured Slator Barron, George Herms, and Dustin Shuler.

OCCCA has continued to function as a nurturing showplace for emerging and mid career member artists from the Orange County area. In addition to members work, OCCCA strives to exhibit a variety of artists work from all media and career levels from emerging through established late career artists. Affiliate members participate in all aspects of professional art practice, including design and installation of exhibitions, public relations/publicity, curatorial, accounting, grant and proposal writing, gallery sitting, facilities maintenance, etc.

In its 37 year history, with a membership roster limited to 40 through its current by-laws, OCCCA has exhibited over 1,000 guest artists and held numerous solo, group and juried shows that have showcased more than 6,000 participants.

Affiliate members have shown in more than 600 one-person shows and 300 group exhibitions. In addition, the organization has a long tradition of mounting non-member exhibition and performance projects, and inviting outside curators to organize shows.

OCCCA exhibitions have consistently received overwhelmingly positive media attention in regional newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times, the Orange County Register, OC Weekly, Riverside Press-Enterprise, art-related publications, and radio and cable and network television broadcasts.

Over the years, the scope of OCCCA's programming has expanded to include collaborative and exchange projects with other venues throughout the United States and overseas. With the generous assistance and support of the City of Santa Ana, OCCCA was granted title and moved to its current 6,300 square-foot facility. Ownership and member management and control of our gallery makes OCCCA unique in the world of non-profit arts organizations.

In the past six years OCCCA has extended its international reach. The new facility has enabled the planning of more ambitious large-scale projects most notably those in the new media areas.

All of this is done in the spirit of voluntarism. This is a pure grassroots organization that works on the passion and creativity of its members, who are artists themselves. Therefore by being a member you are an active participate in its vision and future. We are not beholden to anyone but our standards and community.

All of this is done in the spirit of voluntarism. This is a pure grassroots organization that works on the passion and creativity of its members, who are artists themselves. Therefore by being a member you are an active participate in its vision and future. We are not beholden to anyone but our standards and community.