Asian American Museum at Great Park Challenges Photographers to Capture Images of Asian American Life in Southern California
IRVINE, California, January 13, 2026 – The Asian American Museum at Great Park of Irvine, California - https://asianamericanmuseumoc.org - is challenging photographers to capture images of Asian American life in Southern California for its juried photo art contest. Now in development, the new Museum is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich heritage and diverse stories of Asian American communities and beyond.
Cash prized to be awarded to winning entrants for contest ending March 31
CONTACT:
Dan Pittman
IRVINE, California, January 13, 2026 – The Asian American Museum at Great Park of Irvine, California - https://asianamericanmuseumoc.org - is challenging photographers to capture images of Asian American life in Southern California for its juried photo art contest. Now in development, the new Museum is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich heritage and diverse stories of Asian American communities and beyond.
Open to professional, amateur and student photographers living in Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties the aspiration for the Color, Culture, Continuum – An Asian American Mosaic: A Juried Photography Show is to visualize the Asian American experience.
The contest is open to all photographic imagery that can be defined as representative of Asian Americans as interpreted by the entrant. Works should explore Asian American identity, culture, or lived experiences. One subject in the composition must be Asian American or multi-racial Asian American.
The esteemed panel of jurors for the contest include Los Angeles Times Executive Director of Photography Kim Chapin; Gong Cheng, sports photojournalist and Laguna College of Art and Design faculty member; award-winning photo artist Hiroshi Watanabe; and art enthusiast Katherine Shen.
Winning photographs and other selected photos will be featured in Orange County, California at South Coast Plaza in May and at Bowers Museum in June. Professional prizes include a grand prize of $2,500; 2nd prize of $1,000; and 3rd prize of $500. Amateur prizes include a grand prize of $500; 2nd prize of $250; and 3rd prize of $100. Student prizes include a grand prize of $500; 2nd prize of $250; and 3rd prize of $100.
Both black and white and color photos are acceptable for the contest. Each entry must consist of an entry form, a $30 entry fee, and can include up to three images. Additional images may be submitted for $10 per image, with a maximum six images per entrant Students ages 13-18 can submit up to three images for free.
The deadline is 11:59 PM on March 31. Questions and inquiries about entering can be emailed to mosaic@AAMuseumOC. In some cases, signed model releases will be required. Other conditions and restrictions apply.
For rules and to submit images electronically, please visit https://asianamericanmuseumoc.org/event/mosaic/
“Just as a mosaic is composed of countless unique pieces that together create a singular work of art, so too is the Asian American experience,” said Jack Toan, Executive Director of the Museum. “These photos will help demonstrate that our identity is not a monolith, but a fluid diverse, multiracial, multigenerational spectrum.”
About Asian American Museum at Great Park
Established in 2024, the Asian American Museum at Great Park was envisioned as a place of belonging—an inclusive, vibrant cultural hub to be located within Irvine, California’s Great Park, one of the nation’s largest municipal parks. The Museum invites people of all backgrounds to engage with the diverse histories, cultures, and lived experiences of Asian Americans through compelling exhibitions, educational programs, culinary and artistic expression, and community-centered gatherings. By lifting stories of resilience, creativity, and contribution, the Museum fosters connection, understanding, and shared experience across generations and communities. For more information, visit https://asianamericanmuseumoc.org.