Institute for Contemporary Art, Richmond facts for kids

The Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU (often called ICA at VCU) is an exciting art center. It is located at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. A famous architecture firm, Steven Holl Architects, designed the building. The Gilbane Building Company built it. The ICA opened its doors to the public in April 2018. Its location is special, linking the university's campuses and the city's Arts District.

What is the ICA?

The ICA was planned to be a special art museum for the city. It focuses on contemporary art, which means art made in our time. The museum does not collect art permanently. Instead, it brings in new and exciting exhibitions from all over the world. It is located at a busy corner in Richmond's art scene. Lisa Freiman was the first director of the ICA. Later, Stephanie Smith became the chief curator. Curators help choose and organize the art shows.

Designing the Building

The architect, Steven Holl, wanted the museum to feel open and welcoming. He imagined it like a musical instrument that could be played in many ways. This means the building's design allows for many different types of art shows.

Students even helped with the design process. An Liu, a student from the VCU School of the Arts, made many models of the building. These models helped the museum staff plan how to use the space. The models were very detailed and could be taken apart.

The building itself is very unique. It has sculptural blocks made of zinc and see-through glass. Inside, there is a tall ceiling, a curved wall, and a grand staircase. This staircase was a big part of the design.

How the ICA Was Built

Building the ICA was a big project. Many people helped raise money to make it happen. Beverly Reynolds, a gallery owner, was a major supporter. Bill and Pam Royal, and Steve and Kathi Markel, led the fundraising efforts. Patsy Pettus gave a large gift to fund the special staircase.

Steve Markel, from Markel Corporation, helped lead the fundraising committee. Other groups also donated money.

Construction Begins

The groundbreaking ceremony happened in June 2014. During this event, colorful paint was splashed onto the site. It was announced that the building would be officially named the Markel Center.

Building the ICA was very complex. Richard Sliwoski, who managed the construction for VCU, called it "the most structurally complex building I have ever been associated with." By early 2017, the building became a clear link between the old and new parts of Richmond.

The ICA was first set to open in October 2017. However, the opening was delayed to Spring 2018. This was because the building needed more time to be finished and to get ready for the art. The building is very sensitive to its environment, so everything had to be perfect before the art could be installed.

Exciting Exhibitions and Events

The first art show at the ICA was called Declaration. It featured many different artists and performers. This show was planned to run from October 2017 to February 2018.

Even while the building was being built, the ICA held events. For example, a forum and exhibition called ICA: A Forum of Ideas was held for students. It taught them about the building's design. Students even got to take a "hard hat" tour of the construction site.

A World-Famous Building

In 2017, the ICA building was listed by Architectural Digest as one of the "12 Most Anticipated Buildings of 2018" worldwide. This meant it was considered one of the most exciting new buildings. Other famous buildings on the list included a power plant in Denmark and a library in Canada. The ICA was also named #1 of "The Coolest Things Opening in America in 2018" by Thrillist.

Leadership and Vision

The ICA has an advisory board that helps guide its direction. Important members have included Steven A. Markel and William A. Royall Jr.

In January 2018, the first director, Lisa Freiman, decided to leave her role. She wanted to focus on her research about the artist Claes Oldenberg. Joseph H. Seipel became the interim director. Later, in September 2018, Dominic Willsdon was named the new executive director. He came from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

Art for Everyone

The ICA wants to show many different types of art and media. It aims to be a welcoming place for everyone to experience contemporary art.

One exhibition in 2018 was Lee Mingwei's The Mending Project. Another important exhibition was Great Force in 2019. This show explored ideas about race and resistance in the United States. It featured many artists who shared their perspectives on these important topics.