Institute of Contemporary Art
| Type | Contemporary art museum |
|---|---|
| Address | 118 S 36th Street |
| Map | View on Google Maps |
| Neighborhood | University City |
| Phone | (215) 898-7108 |
| Website | Official site |
| Established | 1963 |
| Founder | University of Pennsylvania |
| Admission | Free |
| Hours | Wed-Sun 11am-6pm |
| Transit | SEPTA trolley 34, 36 |
| Architect | Adèle Naudé Santos (1991 building) |
The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) is a non-collecting contemporary art museum at the University of Pennsylvania in University City. Founded in 1963, ICA has been a leading venue for contemporary art, presenting groundbreaking exhibitions including Andy Warhol's first museum show and introducing artists who later became major figures.[1]
History
Founding
ICA was founded in 1963 as part of the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Fine Arts. Unlike traditional museums, ICA does not maintain a permanent collection—it focuses entirely on presenting new and experimental contemporary art.
Andy Warhol
ICA gained national attention in 1965 by hosting Andy Warhol's first museum exhibition. The show attracted massive crowds and established ICA's reputation for identifying important artists before mainstream recognition.
Current Building
The current building, designed by Adèle Naudé Santos, opened in 1991. The bold postmodern structure provides flexible gallery spaces for changing exhibitions.
Exhibitions
Focus
ICA presents:
- Emerging and established contemporary artists
- Experimental and challenging work
- Philadelphia-area artists
- International perspectives
- Thematic group exhibitions
Notable Past Shows
- Andy Warhol (1965) — First museum show
- Laurie Anderson
- Robert Mapplethorpe
- Kara Walker
- Numerous Philadelphia artists
Non-Collecting Model
Unlike the Philadelphia Museum of Art or Barnes Foundation, ICA does not acquire works for a permanent collection. Every exhibition is temporary, allowing complete flexibility and focus on the new.
The Building
Adèle Naudé Santos designed the 1991 building:
- 14,000 square feet
- Flexible gallery spaces
- Bold postmodern exterior
- Natural light integration
- Street-level visibility
Programs
- Artist talks and lectures
- Curator-led tours
- University courses
- Community programs
- Publications
Visiting
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Hours | Wed-Sun 11am-6pm |
| Admission | Free |
| Address | 118 S 36th Street |
| Time needed | 30-60 minutes |
| Note | Exhibitions change regularly—check website |
Getting There
- SEPTA Trolley — Routes 34, 36 to 36th Street
- SEPTA Bus — Routes 21, 42
- Walking — On Penn campus at 36th and Sansom
- Parking — Penn garages, street parking
Frequently Asked Questions
See Also
- University City
- University of Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
- Fabric Workshop and Museum
References
- ↑ "Institute of Contemporary Art". ICA. Retrieved December 23, 2025