Artist Membership
Orange County Center for Contemporary Arts (OCCCA) Membership Application Process
OCCCA welcomes applications for membership from emerging, mid-career, and accomplished artists eager to promote excellence in contemporary art. We encourage contemporary artists in various mediums, including painting, ceramic and other sculpture, installation art, photography, film, video, new media, performance art, and experimental genres, to apply.
OCCCA is one of the longest running artist run co-op galleries in the USA
Artist Membership
OCCCA is an all-volunteer nonprofit 501(c)3 arts organization. We are community- based and are dependent on the active participation of our members to maintain the excellence of our organization. As a grass roots entity, OCCCA thrives on the passion and creativity of its artist members, who actively shape its vision and direction. We are an independent group, accountable only to our own standards and community.
Prospective candidates must meet the following prerequisites:
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- A commitment to shaping contemporary art and culture through their own
artistic endeavors and active involvement in OCCCA’s community service
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- Demonstration of a portfolio of current work showcasing innovative and
compelling artwork.
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- Availability and dedication to contributing their time, effort, and talent to the
diverse volunteer activities of OCCCA (See “Responsibilities” below.)
PHASE 1 – APPLY
Apply by e-mail to info.occca@gmail.com
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Five (5) images of your work (completed within the last 3-years)
a. Size the images at 1920 pixels on the longest side and saved as a JPEG at 72 dpi
b. Format the file names as follows: FirstName_LastName_Title.jpeg -
A concise description and artist statement of your artwork.
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CV – professional resume, including exhibition history.
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Link to your website URL
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Explanation of why you want to join OCCCA and the skills you will bring to our
community.
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Remit a $30.00 application fee via Pay Pal (see link below).
PHASE 2 – AWAIT REVIEW BY OCCCA MEMBERSHIP
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OCCCA artist members will assess your application and inform you of one of the following outcomes:
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Approval for an in-person interview and presentation of your artwork (advance to Phase 3).
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Request for additional information, or
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Application will be declined and not advanced to Phase 3.
PHASE 3 – PRESENTATION OF ARTWORK AND INTERVIEW
After your in-person interview, the OCCCA artist membership will discuss your presentation and then vote to determine the approval (or not) of your application as an OCCCA artist member.
OCCCA MEMBERSHIP AFFORDS MANY OPPORTUNITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
OCCCA ARTIST BENEFITS
Professional Growth
As an OCCCA Artist Member, you can:
- Explore professional career advancement through involvement in various
operational and management aspects of OCCCA’s gallery, including exhibition design, curation, lighting, signage, installations, receptions, and more.
- Exhibit contemporary art freely, without concerns of censorship or content control.
- Offer art lessons in local public schools.
- Conduct in-gallery workshops.
- Engage in grant-writing and contribute to community initiatives supported by
approved grants.
- Work with high school and college interns during their tenure at the gallery.
Exhibition
As an OCCCA Artist Member, you can:
- Showcase your artwork through periodic solo, two- or three-artist exhibitions
at the gallery.
- Take part in OCCCA’s all-artist member exhibitions.
- Benefit from either no or reduced entry fee for OCCCA’s juried open calls for
art.
- No commission charges on your artwork sales at OCCCA gallery.
Marketing
As an OCCCA Artist Member, you can:
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- Be professionally represented by OCCCA.
- Host a 360-degree self-guided online tour of your OCCCA exhibit.
- Gain exposure to curators, prominent galleries, and museum professionals.
- Showcase your artwork on OCCCA’s website and social media.
- Reach a wide audience through OCCCA’s 10,000+ email list and
professionally crafted press releases.
- Receive promotion in professional art publications and exposure to art
writers.
- Be featured in OCCCA’s newsletters and social media sharing updates on
your artwork and outside projects.
- Explore opportunities for special events, e.g., performance art, music, panel
discussions, and book signings.
- Have your artwork featured on OCCCA’s artist postcards, and promote your
own materials in the gallery.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS
As an OCCCA Artist Member, you are expected to:
- Attend monthly OCCCA meetings
- Fulfill membership fees.
- Assist in the installation and deinstallation of OCCCA exhibitions.
- Attend gallery receptions and assist with monthly gallery sittings.
- Work on a minimum of two OCCCA committees.
- Contribute to OCCCA’s future planning efforts.