Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston
Changing exhibitions, performance, film, and a dramatic harbor cantilever make the ICA a place where new art and a rapidly changing waterfront confront one another.
Artwork inspired by Allan Rohan Crite
Changing exhibitions, performance, film, and a dramatic harbor cantilever make the ICA a place where new art and a rapidly changing waterfront confront one another. The ICA’s collection is selective and its exhibitions do most of the intellectual work. Architecture compresses the city behind visitors, then releases them toward water, cranes, ferries, and the broad media gallery, making development and public space unavoidable parts of the experience.
Check the exhibition and performance calendar before arriving because installations can close galleries between shows. Use transit or plan paid garage costs, leave time for the harborwalk, and do not assume the seasonal Watershed in East Boston shares the main building’s hours.
- Waterfront building
- 2006
- Architects
- Diller Scofidio + Renfro
- Focus
- Contemporary art and performance
Quick guide
- Check the changeover
- A closed gallery can alter half the visit.
- Face the harbor
- Treat the view as part of the institution.
Know before you go
- Check the changeover
- A closed gallery can alter half the visit.
- Face the harbor
- Treat the view as part of the institution.
- Enter the media room
- Let time-based work set a slower pace.
- Separate Watershed
- Its ferry and season require another plan.
Good to know
The Seaport has limited inexpensive parking and heavy event traffic. The museum may feel brief between exhibitions, while performances and Watershed programs use separate capacities and tickets.
Notice these
- Harbor cantilever
- Mediateque
- Changing exhibitions