Introducing Culture OC: Your Ultimate Guide to Orange County’s Arts Scene
Earlier this year, the Arts & Culture section of Voice of OC teased the imminent launch of a new independent digital platform exclusively focused on arts and culture in Orange County. Publisher Paul Hodgins has officially announced that the much-anticipated platform, Culture OC (cultureoc.org), will make its debut on Friday, September 8. The website promises to feature high-caliber stories crafted by seasoned journalists who have previously contributed to the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Times, OC Weekly, and Voice of OC’s arts and culture team.
For those who have been following cultural journalism, the writers involved in this venture are not newcomers—they include journalists who have been writing about the arts in Orange County for decades and new voices who have fresh insights on the county’s artistic and cultural landscape. Since 2018, they have contributed insightful articles on arts and culture to Voice of OC, garnering over 30 awards, including a prestigious National Arts Journalism Award. Under their new masthead, we expect to see more.
As Culture OC prepares to roll out its content, the publication has set forth ambitious goals. It aims to reinvigorate the field of cultural journalism in Orange County by offering comprehensive coverage of the local cultural communities and arts scene, ranging from theater and dance to music, visual arts, literature, culinary arts, and beyond. In addition to breaking news, the platform plans to feature in-depth stories, artist profiles, trend analyses, event previews, and reviews. Moreover, Culture OC is committed to spotlighting underserved communities and focusing on grassroots-level cultural phenomena.
A striking feature of Culture OC is its commitment to accessibility. As a nonprofit news organization, the team pledges to offer its content without a subscription fee; it will be a completely paywall-free platform. For this vision to become a reality, Culture OC is seeking community support to help fulfill its mission of keeping readers well-informed about the rich, diverse cultural tapestry that defines Orange County. It is also offering ticket discounts and other perks through a membership program called the Culture Club.
For those interested in staying updated on what Culture OC has to offer, the publication is active on social media platforms. Readers are invited to follow Culture OC on Facebook at facebook.com/cultureoc. Be a part of this exciting new chapter in Orange County’s cultural scene by engaging with Culture OC.