The Institute of Contemporary Arts was founded in 1946 by Roland Penrose, Peter Watson, Herbert Read, Peter Gregory, Geoffrey Grigson and E. L. T. Mesens. Its first exhibitions came in 1948, 40 Years of Modern Art and 40,000 Years of Modern Art, both organised by Penrose and Read.
Dover Street to The Mall
In May 1950 the institute took 17 Dover Street in Piccadilly, which let it grow. In 1968 it moved to Nash House, part of Carlton House Terrace on The Mall, where it remains. The building holds galleries, a theatre, two cinemas, a bookshop and a bar.
David Kohn Architects worked on the galleries between 2012 and 2020. In 2024 Sanchez Benton Architects reconfigured the entrance foyer, bookshop, café and gallery.
Programme
I Can’t Complain, the first major UK presentation of the New York-based artist Autumn Knight, is on view until 29 November 2026. It brings a new commission together with recent work, alongside a series of performances.
Earlier in 2026 the ICA showed Laura Lima’s The Drawing Drawing, her first solo exhibition in London, and Genuine Fake Premium Economy with Jenna Bliss, Buck Ellison and Jasmine Gregory.
Location: St James's, London, United Kingdom
Address: The Mall, London SW1Y 5AH, United Kingdom
Website: ica.art
Instagram: @icalondon
