ARTS: Gala for under construction Orange County Museum of Art nets $1M

On Oct. 8, the Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) hosted its first Art Sense Gala, which took place in-person at the construction site of the museum’s forthcoming building at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. The Art Sense Gala was held one-year to date of the public opening of it its new home designed by Morphosis Architects under the direction of Pritzker-prize winner Thom Mayne, founder, Morphosis Architects, and Brandon Welling, partner-incharge, Morphosis Architects, who were both present at the event.

The sold-out Art Sense Gala had a futuristic theme, welcomed 280 guests, and netted $1 million for the museum and its operations. The sum raised is three times the achievement of any previous OCMA fundraising event. Earlier this week, OCMA announced free general admission for a decade upon opening to the public in its new building in October 2022 courtesy of a $2.5 million commitment from Lugano Diamonds.

Art Sense was presented by lead sponsor Sotheby’s with sponsorship contributions also from Lugano Diamonds and J.P. Morgan. In addition to the corporate sponsors, Art Sense was made possible by the event underwriters Cerity Partners LLC, Creative Fundraising Advisors and others.