Oceanside Museum of Art is Getting a Whole New Look – and We’re Here for it

Oceanside’s beloved cultural anchor just dropped some big news, and it’s the kind of thing that makes us genuinely excited about what’s coming to North County.

A Landmark Moment for OMA

Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA) has announced a major campus expansion that will transform the museum into a full city block cultural destination.

Designed by San Diego-based Safdie Rabines Architects, the project will grow OMA’s footprint from 20,000 to 30,000 square feet – a 50% increase that brings serious new energy to the Oceanside Cultural District.

At the heart of the expansion is the historic Oceanside Fire Station No. 1, a 1929 building designed by pioneering modernist architect Irving J. Gill. The fire station will be thoughtfully restored – original arches, windows, and the iconic hose drying tower included – while being woven into a cohesive campus alongside OMA’s existing 1934 City Hall building.

What’s Actually Being Added

Gallery space grows from 7,000 to 10,000 square feet, with two new gallery spaces joining the mix. One sits inside the former fire station bay, designed to be accessible to everyone, and the other is dedicated to OMA’s permanent collection of Southern California art.

Beyond the galleries, the expansion adds an outdoor sculpture garden, a café, a new arts education center, and expanded multi-use spaces for workshops, lectures, and community gatherings.

Collection storage is also jumping from 600 to 2,000 square feet, giving OMA far more capacity to preserve and showcase the region’s art history.

Community Built, Community Funded

OMA launched the quiet phase of its $10 million Campaign for Expansion in March 2024, and the community showed up. In just over 18 months, the campaign surpassed 90% of its goal, raising more than $9 million from nearly 80 donors – individuals, foundations, civic organizations, and public partners.

The campaign has now entered its public phase, opening the door for the broader community to get involved. State Senator Catherine Blakespear secured $3.59 million in state funding directed toward the historic rehabilitation, with the City of Oceanside also playing a key role throughout.

Construction is set to begin in early 2027, with the grand opening projected for spring 2028.

Come See the Plans in Person

OMA is hosting a free community open house where you can get a firsthand look at the expansion plans. Admission to the museum is also free all day – a great excuse to spend a Sunday afternoon in Oceanside seeing what’s on view now and what’s on the horizon.