Institute of Contemporary Art

"What’s this place all about?The Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston (known locally as the ICA), built a permanent home in 2006 on the edge of the harbor in the Seaport District. Diller Scofidio + Renfro designed the contemporary building to mirror the industrial cranes that load container ships nearby. Although their work has received much critical acclaim, Bostonians are split about whether the building is a beauty or an eyesore in its privileged position along Fan Pier. Within the museum, you’ll find a provocative collection of contemporary art and a longstanding dedication to serve the Boston community with stellar programming. A museum's permanent collection is defining: How is the ICA's?ICA’s collection is anchored by remarkable work by 20th- and 21st-century women, including Louise Bourgeois, Doris Salcedo, and Eva Hesse, donated by philanthropist and activist Barbara Lee. Lee has given 68 major works across mediums by such artists as Louise Bourgeois, Doris Salcedo, and Eva Hesse, all of which she personally collected over three decades. But exhibits are what we return for. What are they like?The ICA’s visual arts program features major thematic exhibitions, surveys of leading contemporary artists, and new commissions. It also introduces emerging artists in their first-ever solo museum shows. This museum’s most exciting evolution in recent years is the launch of a seasonal (Memorial through Labor Day) 15,000-square-foot space across the harbor in East Boston called ICA Watershed. The ICA transformed a once-condemned factory into a free cultural space to see and experience large-scale art. It’s well worth the 10-minute ferry ride—included in the cost of admission, but requiring advance reservations—from the ICA to Shipyard, if only for the amazing views. What did you make of the crowd?People who wander into the ICA are often intrigued by contemporary art and want to be challenged by the museum's exhibitions and collections. You’ll contemplate works beside a vibrant mix of college students, loyal Boston residents, and art-lovers from afar who walk along the harbor from downtown to the museum. On the practical tip, how were facilities?The ICA is wheelchair accessible, and its friendly staff can assist you with a wide range of needs. Any guided tours worth trying?Free guided tours are limited—only available on Thursday evenings, as well as Saturday and Sunday afternoons—but they’re worth planning a visit around. Understanding the ethos and inspiration behind each piece heightens appreciation, particularly for abstract art. Gift shop: obligatory, inspiring—or skip it?The ICA’s gift shop is the most alluring in the city. A half-floor below the ticket counter, the shop channels the museum’s talent for curation into a fantastic selection of stationery, handmade pottery from Japan, jewelry from skilled artisans, and contemporary prints, all presented alongside art and travel books. Next time it’s your birthday, or anyone’s birthday, you’ll want to flock here for a flawless gift. Is the café worth a stop, or should we just plan on going elsewhere?There’s a small bar in the foyer of the museum, but since you’re in the Seaport, resist the hunger pains. Wait until after your visit and make way to one of Barbara Lynch’s three adjoining restaurants in Fort Point: Drink, Sportello, or Menton. Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged?The ICA’s collection is relatively balanced between mediums. With that in mind, take time to see sculptures, photographs, and paintings during a visit. You’ll also want to soak in the harbor views and examine the thought-provoking architecture of the museum from outside before ducking into the museum shop." - Elizabeth Wellington