The Arts in Orange County

Music, theatre, dance, poetry and literature, cinema, visual art, cultural history and storytelling - Orange County proudly boasts a dynamic and diverse menu for all of your artistic appetites. At ArtsOC we celebrate and spotlight every facet of our creative community - from internationally-acclaimed major institutions to the bold new generation of independent artists who will chart the course to our future

SparkOC - Where the Arts Happen in Orange County

SparkOC.com is your free community site for upcoming arts events, exhibits, classes and workshops, auditions, professional opportunities, profiles of local artists, and a comprehensive guide to Public Art all over Orange County. Free to use and free for local organizations to list on, SparkOC is always the place to go when you're looking for what's new in OC arts & culture.

We can also deliver the latest and greatest of arts experiences and opportunities right to your Inbox when you join our e-mail subscribers.

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"Art is the only way to run away without leaving home." - Twyla Tharp

ArtsOC Events

Arts Orange County gets directly involved in producing and presenting some beloved events in our creative community

Joy Harjo receives a standing ovation from attendees

Creative Edge Lecture

Once a year, a renowned thought leader is our guest for an illuminating talk on the power of creative thought in business, science, education, and life

Día Del Nino

OC Día del Niño/Day of the Child is a free family arts festival that celebrates children, develops their natural creativity and inspires lifelong participation in the arts. It features two days of fun and interactive activities and performances by professional artists, arts organizations, schools and community groups that can be enjoyed by the whole family and children of all ages and skill levels.

Imagination Celebration

Each Spring, Arts Orange County presents Imagination Celebration: Orange County’s only county-wide family arts festival!

Presented in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education, Imagination Celebration dynamically connects the community, arts organizations, universities, and Orange County students through meaningful arts experiences.

Orange County Arts Awards

The Annual OC Arts Awards is a benefit evening that recognizes & celebrates the arts organizations, artists, and arts patrons in the OC community whose significant contributions during the past year, or over the course of a lifetime, have notably impacted the arts in Orange County.

Voices: Veterans Storytelling Project

VOICES brings together the artistic community and the extensive community of military veterans in Orange County; teaching them to turn the story of their experience of service into a storytelling project that promotes healing and understanding

Exclusive Public Art Directory

Public works of art - murals, statues, sculptural installations, and more - are a part of every city in Orange County, and ArtsOC is dedicated to celebrating it. We have identified and created a searchable database of over 800 works located around Orange County. Find some to visit and experience!

See the database here

Cultural Tourism

Orange County boasts a multitude of rich opportunities for residents and visitors alike to come together and learn about the art, culture, and history of our communities. ArtsOC recognizes the great value and importance of the cultural offerings of arts organizations, cultural centers and cultural festivals. Our SparkOC website features Local Guides where arts lovers can view event information for nine select cities with an affluent arts and cultural heritage and presence: Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, and Santa Ana

Additional Cultural Tourism links for Orange County and select cities:

Visit the O.C.
Visit Anaheim
Visit Laguna Beach
Travel Costa Mesa
Visit Huntington Beach