The Cantilever That Turned the Harbor into a Gallery

At a Glance

The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) Boston sits on Fan Pier in the city's Seaport District. Founded in 1936 as one of the earliest US contemporary-art institutions, it relocated to its current building in 2006—interestingly, active collecting only began after that move.

Cantilever Over the Harbor

Designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro (2006), the building cantilevers roughly 24 metres over Boston Harbor. A grandstand of open steps on the ground floor doubles as public seating, pulling the harbor into the museum experience.

Programme

• US contemporary collection with James Welling, Kara Walker, Barbara Kruger, Shepard Fairey.
• Foster Prize—a biennial Boston-artists showcase.
• ICA Watershed, a 1,400 m² satellite in a former copper-pipe plant in East Boston (free, May–October).
• Mediatheque, with seats tilted toward the harbor.

Tips

MBTA Silver Line (SL1/SL2) from South Station to Courthouse. Adults $20; free Thursday evenings. Plan 1.5 hours; add half a day if you include ICA Watershed. Evening jazz and yoga sessions run on the plaza in summer.