OCCTAC has been selected as a 2025 recipient of the Helena Modjeska Cultural Legacy Award by Arts Orange County. Honored as the Outstanding Arts Organization, OCCTAC is recognized for 25 years of empowering underserved families through arts education and creative therapies. The award will be presented at the 25th Annual Orange County Arts Awards on September 16, 2025, at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

We’re proud to share that Dr. Ana Jimenez-Hami, Founder and Executive Director of OCCTAC, has been featured in the April edition of Empresarias Latinas que Dejan Huella, recognizing 8 visionary Latina entrepreneurs in Orange County. As OCCTAC celebrates 25 years, Dr. Ana continues to inspire with her story of resilience, leadership, and commitment to empowering underserved communities.

OCCTAC proudly announces that three students from its Preparatory Arts Academy of Music placed in the 2025 MTAC Composers Today State Contest. Jesus Reyes won 1st Place, Cesar Galvan 3rd, and Jessie Leon earned Honorable Mention. This marks OCCTAC’s first time placing, celebrating the talent of neurodiverse, Latino, and Romanian composers. Winners will perform their original works at the MTAC Convention on July 6.

Tune in to an inspiring episode of Jenn Klein's podcast, featuring Dr. Ana Jimenez-Hami, Founder and Executive Director of OCCTAC.

SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE LIVES OF ALL PEOPLE, including children and adults with developmental...

ORANGE COUNTY CHILDREN'S THERAPEUTIC ARTS CENTER Allison Hata | Fall 2022 With a goal of creating more access to the arts for youth from...

VERA CASTANEDA | MAY 26, 2021 9:11 PM PT Roberto Reyes playing viola at OCCTAC with Jairo Mendez and Lupita Marcial. (Courtesy of Mark...

Mark Dimalanta | May 2021 During the recent Covid-19 Pandemic, Orange County Children’s Therapeutic Arts Center was pressed to pivot,...

Sara Eaker | Dec 19, 2018 The Orange County Children’s Therapeutic Arts Center (OCCTAC) offers programs that unite the arts with...

The center offers arts enrichment to children with special needs as well as at-risk youth and adults in the community. Orange Coast...

May/June 2018 Martha Rivera ’12 has served as a mentor for college-bound students in Santa Ana, Pomona and beyond. (Photo/Nicholas...

Gabriel San Román | Posted on June 25, 2014 From the coastal port of Veracruz, Mexico to landlocked Paraguay, the harp in Latin America...

Ana Jimenez-Hami Brings the Arts to Low-Income Kids. Jimenez-Hami's late father, who was murdered along with her mother, inspired her...