About Institute of Contemporary Arts

The Institute of Contemporary Arts is located in London near Trafalgar square. It is in itself a complex not solely one gallery. It houses galleries, a theatre, two cinemas a bookshop and for the weary few a café/bar.

The ICA was founded in 1946 by contemporary modern artists, who wanted to establish a place for contemporary artists, writers and even scientists to come and debate over ideas without being confined to constraints of conventional art media.

Its beginnings were however humble meeting in various places including the basement of the Academy of Cinema which was owned by George Hoellering the big time fill, jazz and band promoter.

Finally they managed to find premises of a more stable nature in 1968 with the support of the Arts Council. In its inception the institute organized exhibitions of modern art which included Picasso. The institute under the patronage of Bill McAllister then developed different sections of contemporary art with departments diversifying into visual art, theatre, music and performance and then further into talks and lectures on the various subjects.

Since then it has catered to many people with varying degrees of creativity who need a medium to express it, it remains a serious place for the exchange of conversation and should be visited if one is in need for some eye-opening definitions to the meaning of art.

Location

By Tube
Charing Cross (Northern and Bakerloo lines)
Piccadilly Circus (Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines).


By Train
The nearest railway station is also Charing Cross.

By Bus
The following buses stop in nearby Trafalgar Square or Cockspur Street: 3,6,9,11,12,13,14,15,19,22,23,24,29,38,77a,88,91,139,159 and 176.