- Orange County Museum of Art

Art is in the eye of the beholder, whereas swollen retinas are in the eye of the bee holder. Get soul-stung by provocative and powerful art with today’s Groupon to Orange County Museum of Art in Newport Beach. Choose between the following options:

For $6, you get one general-admission ticket (up to a $12 value).
For $22, you get a family pass for two adults and two children (up to a $44 value).

Currently concentrating on Golden State art from the 1960s and 1970s to the present day, the Orange County Museum of Art routinely draws from its extensive collection, ranging from photography to drawings to sculptures. The museum’s recently opened exhibition, State Of Mind: New California Art Circa 1970, explores art that emerged in Northern and Southern California during the 1970s, such as conceptual performance art and psychedelic fluorescent environments. More than 150 works inhabit the gallery’s space, including photography, film, installations, and works on paper. The Two Schools of Cool exhibition pairs artists who were pioneers of conceptual art during the 1960s and 1970s with a new generation of Los Angeles artists. Guests can follow public tours through the museum’s current exhibits or peruse the art at their own pace. The museum also hosts events such as film screenings and panel discussions.

The museum offers free admission to children younger than 12 years old during all regular museum hours—Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is also free every second Sunday of the month.

Orange County Museum of Art

Orange County Museum of Art's chief curator, Dan Cameron, takes pride in the artists his state has produced from the 20th century to the present. He and his staff showcase a diverse range of modern and contemporary Californian artists as well as art from around the world in an array of exhibitions and a permanent collection. Each exhibition uncovers a different facet of the art world. Past exhibitions have explored modern art between Picasso and Pollock, the changing language of art and design in the mid-20th century, and works by Ansel Adams and Andy Warhol.

Staffers also immerse visitors in their collections through after-hours events and guided tours of the museum's galleries. They also host events for families, during which kids can make artwork in the style of the exhibited artists or attend monthly shows with short films, music exploration, and live entertainment.

Reviews

Contemporary art that stretches the limit. This little boutique of a museum stands on its own in unique treasures and overlooked artists.
Jason S., Yelp, 10/15/10