NEWPORT BEACH, CA.- The Orange County Museum of Art launched a newly designed and expanded website that better presents the programs and collection in a more engaging, informative, and user-friendly format. After years of studies, collection research, and current website standards, www.ocma.net now offers a clean design that enhances artworks, greater visibility into the museum's art collection, expanded artist documentation, and increased information supporting museum exhibitions and public programs.

"This institution has a long history of critically acclaimed exhibitions and innovative education programs, and yet did not have an online presence that supported those accomplishments or met today's standards," stated OCMA President Craig W. Wells. "It is critical to the institution's future that we better present the focus of the museum's collection and programs and to do so within a site that enhances the visitors' experience."

After years of research, the museum leadership determined several areas that were most critical in achieving a successful website. Those goals led to the following new features:

• A clean, simple, and contemporary design that best presents twentieth and twenty first century art, making the works themselves stand out as important elements of the site.

• Greater learning capabilities for visitors exploring the museum's collection integrating approximately 700 images of works from OCMA's collection, bios on more than 150 artists who are represented in the collection, and, when available, audio and video content as well—providing unprecedented access into the museum's vault for researchers and casual visitors alike. This portion of the site is an ongoing project, and the museum audience should re-visit regularly for additional content.

• An improved online visitor experience with a powerful user interface along with easy and intuitive navigation, as well as better search capabilities throughout the site—putting the user needs at the forefront.

• The ability to support current exhibitions with additional content—of which visitors might not have been aware—as extensive links connect related artworks, scholarship, museum programs, and publications, inspiring greater online learning and visits to the museum.

• A glimpse into the minds of the individuals who make-up the museum community, including a blog with remarks by museum curators about works in the collection, and a "Pick-of-the-Month" that highlights one artwork with commentary by museum staff, docents, members, and others.

• An expanded online Museum Store with a greatly enhanced checkout process.

The re-designed and expanded website was made possible, in part, by a generous grant from the United States Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to implement much needed upgrades to OCMA's online resources. The project was aimed to bring in the latest technology and to respond to audience needs through greater scholarship and easier navigation for online visitors.

Updated Visual Brand
Along with the redesigned website, the museum has refreshed OCMA's visual identity that more accurately reflects the museum's programming and collecting focus of modern and contemporary art. The bold and clean lines of the new logo also allow additional sub-brands, highlighting long-standing programs that have proven popular with the public and will continue into the future.