Institute of Contemporary Arts

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The Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) is a modern art centre on The Mall in London. It is located within Nash House, which is part of Carlton House Terrace, near the Duke of York Steps and Admiralty Arch and contains galleries, a theatre, two cinemas and a bar.

It was founded by Herbert Read, Geoffrey Grigson and Roland Penrose in 1947. The ICA's founders intended to establish a space where artists and writers could debate ideas outside of the traditional confines of the Royal Academy. The first exhibitions were held in rented premises organised by Penrose, '40 Years of Modern Art' was followed by '40,000 Years of Modern Art' reflecting his interest in primitivism.

The ICA's first regular premises were in Dover Street. In its early years the Institute organised exhibitions of Modern Art including Picasso and Jackson Pollock and it has subsequently been claimed that the ICA was being used as a front for the CIA. The Independent Group met at the ICA in 1952-4 and organised several exhibitions. Lawrence Alloway acted as assistant Director during the later 1950s. With the support of the Arts Council the ICA moved to its current site in 1968. For a period during the 1970s the Centre was more known for its often anarchic programme and administration.

In 2002 then ICA Chairman Ivan Massow criticised what he described as 'concept art' leading to his resignation.

The ICA appointed Ekow Eshun Artistic Director in 2005.

The annual Beck's Futures prize is exhibited and hosted there.

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