Statement On Cultural Equity

To support a full creative life for all, Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA) commits to championing policies and practices of cultural equity that empower a just, inclusive, equitable community.

Mission

The mission of Oceanside Museum of Art is to bring people together to explore the art and stories of Southern California artists.

Vision

A community transformed by art.

About

Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA) is a non -profit organization that began providing exhibitions and public programs in 1995 as part of their mission to bring people together to explore the art and stories of Southern California artists. OMA's exhibitions program is dynamic and robust, surprising visitors with a fresh and exciting visual experience nearly every visit. In addition to these boundary-pushing contemporary art exhibitions, OMA's programming includes youth education programs, adult art classes, music, films, and creative community parties and events that appeal to locals and tourists alike. The OMA experience stimulates imagination, presents new ideas, and challenges the familiar in a welcoming environment for those new to art, longtime museum goers, art students, or simply the curious. 

Oceanside Museum of Art is housed in side-by-side buildings designed by two of southern California’s most renowned Modernist architects. The classic Irving Gill designed building is nestled against the contemporary Frederick Fisher designed Central Pavilion creating the perfect union of past and present architecture.

OMA operates as a private, non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation and was originally founded by a core group of citizens who seized upon the vision of a museum and overcame all obstacles and skepticism to bring that vision to fruition. After almost 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 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 addition to more than 15 highly praised contemporary art exhibitions per year, museum programming includes concerts, films, culinary events, fundraising parties, evening events, docent tours and chartered travel to other local, national and international cultural art venues and destinations. OMA’s audience is comprised of people of all ages, different walks of life, and diverse cultural backgrounds.

Today and looking toward the future, OMA strives to inspire all through the power of the arts. Annual development of exhibitions, events, and educational programming are designed with this vision as a means of making deeper connections with the San Diego community, the greater Southern California region, and beyond.