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Institute of Contemporary Art / Boston

ArtArchitecturePhotographyClosed todayFrom $20Courthouse (MBTA Silver Line)

Founded in 1936 as the Boston Museum of Modern Art, the ICA is one of the oldest contemporary art institutions in the United States, and moved to the Seaport waterfront in 2006. Diller Scofidio + Renfro shaped the 65,000-square-foot building as a folding ribbon: Boston's Harborwalk rises into the public Jill Medvedow Grandstand, then carries on inside as the floor and ceiling of the theatre, while the top-floor "gallery box" cantilevers to the water's edge on four massive trusses. Slung beneath that cantilever, the Poss Family Mediatheque steps down towards the harbour. There is no permanent display: the galleries turn over with rotating exhibitions and new commissions. The ICA also runs the Watershed, a free seasonal annex in a converted East Boston shipyard building, reachable by ferry from the museum.

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Plan Your Visit

Getting there

25 Harbor Shore Drive, Boston, MA 02210, United States

Nearest station: Courthouse (MBTA Silver Line), World Trade Center (MBTA Silver Line), South Station (MBTA Red Line / commuter rail)

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Hours

MonClosed
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Admission

From $20

Seniors 65+ $17; students $15; ages 18 and under and ICA members free. Free for all every Thursday 5-9 PM (advance tickets required) and on selected national holidays. The ICA Watershed in East Boston is free.

Nearby

Boston Children's Museum

Children7 min walk

Old State House

History16 min walk

Paul Revere House

History18 min walk

Boston Athenæum

Art20 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Institute of Contemporary Art / Boston cost?
Standard adult admission to Institute of Contemporary Art / Boston is $20. Seniors 65+ $17; students $15; ages 18 and under and ICA members free. Free for all every Thursday 5-9 PM (advance tickets required) and on selected national holidays. The ICA Watershed in East Boston is free.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
What are the opening hours of Institute of Contemporary Art / Boston?
Institute of Contemporary Art / Boston is open Tue-Wed 10:00-17:00, Thu-Fri 10:00-21:00 (late opening), Sat-Sun 10:00-17:00. Closed Mondays. Closes at 17:00 on the first Friday of each month for the ticketed 21+ First Fridays event. Closed Patriots' Day, 4 July, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Institute of Contemporary Art / Boston?
Institute of Contemporary Art / Boston is located at 25 Harbor Shore Drive, Boston, MA 02210, United States, in the Seaport area of Boston. The nearest stations are Courthouse (MBTA Silver Line), World Trade Center (MBTA Silver Line), South Station (MBTA Red Line / commuter rail).
What can I see at Institute of Contemporary Art / Boston?
A folding ribbon of glass and wood on the Seaport waterfront, its top-floor gallery box cantilevered out over Boston Harbor. Current highlights include Caroline Monnet: Man-made Land, To My Best Friend, Cynthia Daignault: Valley.
Do I need to book Institute of Contemporary Art / Boston in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.
When is the best time to visit Institute of Contemporary Art / Boston?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

ajay_suresh via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

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