Our History
Oceanside Museum of Art’s (OMA's) vision — a community transformed by art — is rooted in history as much as it is in the present and future.
OMA was an early pioneering voice for the arts in Oceanside and is the epicenter of North County’s cultural arts scene. Founded by a core group of citizens after neatly eight years of planning, OMA began providing exhibitions and public programs in 1995. With the support of the Oceanside City Council and City staff, the lease for the renowned Irving J. Gill Building, the historic site of the Oceanside City Hall, was approved and a home for the museum was established. Following a renovation to the interior of the Gill Building, OMA formally opened its doors on October 6, 1997.
In 2008, OMA completed a contemporary, three-level 15,000 square foot expansion, designed by noted architect Fredrick Fisher. The new building was melded seamlessly with the original 5,000 square-foot Irving Gill modernist building.
In 2017, Oceanside was designated by the state of California to be one of the 14 Cultural Districts statewide. OMA anchors this Cultural District and is a critical component to the city’s O’Arts Cultural Master Plan.
An expanded OMA will increasingly influence the arts in our region and drive ways to collaboratively address community needs with our partners.
Historic Fire Station 1 is a prime example of famed architect Irving J. Gill’s contribution to Oceanside. His influence on Southern California modernist architecture represents the soul and character of the region. By choosing to celebrate Fire Station 1, OMA honors our community’s heritage and preserves our shared history.
Preserving and restoring Fire Station 1
- Save a piece of history for all in the community to enjoy
- Implement adaptive reuse of the structure
What we’ll get:
- Fire Station 1 restored to its original 1929 exterior design
- Public access to an historic resource
Incorporating historic Fire Station 1 into OMA’s campus increases total square footage from 20,000 to 30,000 Sq. Ft.