Institute of Contemporary Arts, London
London Learn more about what's on at ICA London and the artists shaping its programme.The Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) is a pioneering cultural centre on The Mall, just off Trafalgar Square in central London. Housed in Nash House, part of Carlton House Terrace, it has long been renowned for its radical programming and cross‑disciplinary approach to contemporary art and ideas.
Founded in 1946 by a group including Geoffrey Grigson, Roland Penrose, Herbert Read, Peter Gregory, E. L. T. Mesens and Peter Watson, the ICA was established as a forum where artists, writers, filmmakers and thinkers could work at the cutting edge of contemporary culture outside conventional academic and institutional confines.
The ICA supports groundbreaking exhibitions, films, live performances, talks, and events that challenge conventions and spark dialogue across disciplines. It commissions, produces and presents new work by both emerging and established international artists, often debuting solo institutional exhibitions by figures who later become leading cultural voices.
Notable exhibitions have included Cybernetic Serendipity (1968), Growth and Form by Richard Hamilton (1951), The Thin Black Line curated by Lubaina Himid (1985), and its recent re‑examination Connecting Thin Black Lines: 1985–2025 (2025). These shows reflect the ICA’s history of innovation as well as its commitment to cultural and political relevance.
Located on The Mall in St James’s, between Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street and Piccadilly Circus, the ICA houses galleries, two cinemas, a theatre, a bookshop and a bar, creating a dynamic public space that combines civic ambition with artistic experimentation.
Institute of Contemporary Arts, London FAQs
Where is the ICA located?
The ICA is on The Mall in St James’s, central London, close to Trafalgar Square and Admiralty Arch. Its location makes it easily accessible via Charing Cross or Piccadilly Circus stations and numerous bus routes.
Who founded the ICA?
The ICA was founded in 1946 by a group including Roland Penrose, Peter Watson, Herbert Read, Peter Gregory and E. L. T. Mesens. Their shared aim was to create a space where contemporary art and ideas could flourish outside conventional academic or institutional confines.
What kind of art does the ICA focus on?
The ICA focuses on contemporary visual art, film, music, performance and talks, with a genre‑fluid, cross‑disciplinary programme that engages with current cultural and social debates. It presents pioneering solo and group exhibitions, commissions new work, and hosts artist‑led projects, bringing together diverse voices and practices across disciplines.
What was the ICA’s first exhibition?
An early landmark exhibition organised by the ICA was 40 Years of Modern Art 1907–1947, held in 1948 and featuring works by major modernist figures such as Picasso, Matisse and Duchamp, signalling the organisation’s commitment to international avant‑garde art.
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