Institute of Contemporary Arts, Art museum and cultural center in Westminster, London, England
The Institute of Contemporary Arts occupies Nash House on The Mall, housing two cinema screens, exhibition galleries, a theater and workshop rooms distributed across several levels. The building combines period architecture with modern interior fittings, where gallery walls and event spaces adapt to changing programs.
Roland Penrose, Peter Watson and Herbert Read founded the institute in 1947 as a counterpoint to the Royal Academy and its conservative stance. The organization later moved into Nash House on The Mall, where it continues to program work outside academic conventions.
The venue champions art forms that traditional galleries rarely accommodate, from live sound experiments to interactive digital installations. Artists often engage directly with visitors through open discussions and impromptu performances in the shared public spaces.
The venue opens Tuesday through Sunday from 12:00 to 21:00, remaining closed on Mondays. Reduced admission applies to students, seniors and groups of ten or more, with free entry available on select days.
The two cinema screens show independent and experimental productions not found in commercial London theaters. Programming rotates weekly and includes retrospectives, film discussions and screenings attended by directors.
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