Miami is never a city short of art destinations. One of the famous areas where Miamians soak up art is the Design District, which abounds with art and design inspiration, pouring out of the 130+ galleries and shops.

But the experience doesn’t need to end there. Within the Design District, there are also anchor institutions that make it an extraordinary place to see some of the top artists in the world.

One such museum is The Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA) which we will be visiting when in town for Miami Art Week this year.

About The Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA)

The Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA) is a museum founded in 1986 and has been an essential part of the cultural life of Miami ever since.

The ICA’s mission is to provide exhibitions, programs, publications, and public service activities that are innovative, accessible, and responsive to the needs of the diverse community.

History

The museum first opened in 1996 as the Museum of Contemporary Art. But then, in 2014, the museum sued the city for the right to move over zoning issues. It emerged in 2017 as The Institute of Contemporary Art in its current location within the Miami Design District.

In the old footprint, The Museum of Contemporary Art was born, leaving the city of Miami with two remarkable institutions.

The ICA Collection & Exhibits

ICA Miami displays exciting projects by emerging artists and established ones, albeit with an emphasis on new talent.

Select past exhibits have included:

“Donald Judd: Paintings” featured 14 of Judd’s paintings from the years 1959 to 1961.
“Diamond Stingily: Life In My Pocket” showcased the work of Diamond Stingily in her first solo show.
“Terry Adkins: Infinity Is Always Less Than One” comprised more than 50 works from throughout the artist’s life.
“Sondra Perry: Typhoon Coming On” showcased the multi-media perspective of Sondra Perry
“Manuel Solano: I Don’t Wanna Wait For Our Lives To Be Over” was the first solo show Manuel Solano’s exhibition
“Larry Bell: Time Machine” surveyed many of Larry Bell’s various works, from his early works to the glass sculptures and works he is generally known for.

Artists in the permanent collection include Rita Ackerman, Francis Alÿs, Hernan Bas, Louise Bourgeois, William Copley, Ann Craven, Jose Antonio Hernandez Diez, Inka Essenhigh, Mark Handforth, Jim Hodges, Nancy and Edward Kienholz, Guillermo Kuitca, Zoe Leonard, John Miller, Malcom Morley, Chris Ofili, Gabriel Orozco, Enoc Perez, Raymond Pettibon, Robert Therrien, James Turrell, and many more.

Visiting the ICA

The ICA’s address is 4040 NE Second Avenue in the Design District. Getting there is easy and accessible by car and public transport.

It’s open Wednesday through Sunday from 12:00 PM to around 06:00 PM. The museum is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

The ICA also has a café that serves breakfast items such as pastries and sandwiches, so you are covered when you get tired and need a recharge!

Admission

One of the highlights of the ICA is that it is free! Given its mission, the museum is dedicated to making art accessible to the public, and it does that by opening its doors to everyone at no charge.

So go and enjoy The Institute for Contemporary Art: and help support its important mission!