The Orange County Center for Contemporary Art is located in Santa Ana Artists Village, California. The center is an artist-operated, non-profit corporation dedicated to the pursuit of professional excellence and freedom of expression in the arts and was established in 1980, through the vision of its five founding members, Richard Aaron, Robert Cunningham, Suvan Geer, Alhena Scott, and Carol Stella.
The vision and dedication of a group of graduates from Cal State Fullerton, paved the way for the making of OCCCA. It was conceptualized as a site for artistic expression and dialog.
The center is committed to boosting cultural diversity, through its exhibitions without any sort of barrier or censorship. The center has exhibited hundreds of guest artists and held numerous shows. The success of the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art is a tribute to its members. Many former OCCCA members have gone on to establish themselves in the arts as exhibiting artists, curators, and gallery and museum directors, as well as writers.
The gallery is among several special features of the center. In addition, the OCCCA has expanded the venues of its programs throughout the United States and overseas.
In the past decades, the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art has extended its international reach, and the new facility has enabled the planning of more ambitious large-scale projects in future exhibition calendars.
The center provides emerging and established artists, a forum to explore and develop ideas in an atmosphere that promotes experimentation and risk-taking. It also develops and actively participates in public educational outreach and community art services.
Along with the Orange County AIDS Services Foundation, the OCCCA has arranged an exhibition of unfinished works, which helps in promoting awareness among the members, as well as visitors.