View Our Facebook PageView Our Facebook PageView Our Facebook Page
Your Guide to Cultural
Arts in America
Art Museums, Theater, Dance
& Music Happenings in 90+ Cities!
or go to
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia

Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia

118 S. 36th Street

215-898-7108
website
Click here for schedule
This API is deprecated, please upgrade to yelp.com/fusion

The ICA at the University of Pennsylvania was founded in 1963. Since then, it has become one of the country’s premier institutions for displaying and promoting contemporary art and artists. It has developed a reputation for discovering contemporary artists that later become renowned on the international stage.

The institute has no permanent collection, but presents exhibitions three times a year. It has exhibited works by Maira Kalman, Tavares Strachan, Joshua Mosely and Anthony Campuzzano. Those have taken into account contemporary works in all genres, including video, illustration, photography and painting.

Regular programs one Wednesday each month, called Whenever Wednesday, feature film screenings by different artists. The films ButtonsMon Oncle, and work by Ryan Trecartin and Lizzie Fitch have been shown. The screenings are usually accompanied by a conversation with the artists.

Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia Information

  • Public Transportation: Excellent (The 36th St. Trolley Station, trains 11, 13, 34, and 36, is steps from the museum; bus 21 from the Chestnut St. and 36th St. stop is less than a 1-minute walk; the MFL subway stop at 34th St. and Market St. is a 6-minute walk)
  • Handicapped Accessibility: Good
  • Hours: Wednesday–Friday Noon–8:00 p.m., Saturday–Sunday 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Closed Monday–Tuesday and on major holidays
  • Admission: Free
  • Tour: Guided tours are $75 plus $1 per student/senior and $2 per adult during normal business hours. Guided tours are led by professional educators, Penn graduate students and ICA staff. Tours must be requested at least two weeks in advance
  • Membership: Individual membership is $40; Dual/Family membership is $100. All members receive free admission to selected educational programming and events; invitations to free members-only exhibition walkthroughs with artists and curators; monthly email news blasts which includes our curatorial staff’s top picks of what’s hot; pre-invite announcement cards for all exhibitions; access to ICA’s library; discounts on selected Penn Presents performing arts programs; and special discounts at area restaurants and businesses
  • Other Benefits: Members at the Benefactor level ($1,000) receive 10 complimentary guest passes to selected educational programming and events; and a visit to either a private collection or an artist’s studio each year.