Institute of Contemporary Art San José

The Institute of Contemporary Art San José (ICA) is a nonprofit art center and gallery founded in 1980, and located in the SoFA District of Downtown San Jose, California, U.S.[1] It supports contemporary artists working in painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, new media works and site-specific installations.[2] ICA San José is member and community supported. The art center offers rotating art exhibitions with free admission, along with public programs, education programs, and community events.[3][4]

Institute of Contemporary Art San José
AbbreviationSJICA, ICA San Jose
Formation1980
TypeNonprofit art center
Purposesupport of emerging contemporary art and artists
Location
Key people
James G. Leventhal, Executive Director Haley Kerrigan, Development Manager
Websitewww.icasanjose.org

History

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Established in 1980 as a 501-c-3 nonprofit organization,[5] ICA San José calls home to downtown San Jose.[3][6] In the year 2000, ICA San José came under the leadership of executive director Cathy Kimball, a former curator at the San Jose Museum of Art.[6] Kimball helped ICA San José to become a better known cultural institution in the Bay Area by presenting the works of renowned artists from the United States and around the world.

After working for years toward their long-term goal of acquiring a permanent home, in 2006 ICA San José purchased a 7,500-square-foot building in the SoFA District (South First Area) of downtown San Jose. The 3,700-square-feet of gallery space within were divided into three different interchangeable gallery spaces that are in cohesive relation to one another.[7] With the increase of gallery space, it allowed for a more continuous and long term exhibition space for site specific, solo, and group installations, a first in ICA San José's history.[8]

In 2011, the art space attracted 20,000 visitors a year.[6] Attendance reportedly continued to increase through 2019.[6]

The Institute of Contemporary Art San José exhibited a series of metal sculpture by California artist Charles Ginnever in 2013.[9]

In 2014, the art center supported a solo exhibition by the painter Amy Ellingson.[7]

An exhibition held in 2019 featured the work of Alan Rath, a pioneer in electronic, kinetic, and robotic artwork.[4]

In June 2020, it was announced that Cathy Kimball would be succeeded by Alison Gass as director of ICA San José.[10][11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ San Francisco, ArtSlant. "San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art". www.artslant.com. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  2. ^ "Arts, Culture, and Humanities: San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art". GuideStar. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art". Silicon Valley Contemporary Art Fair. 2010. Archived from the original on April 4, 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  4. ^ a b Nguyen, Chris (March 30, 2019). "San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art offers free admission, draws record crowds with 3 new exhibitions". ABC7 San Francisco. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  5. ^ "San Jose Institute Of Contemporary Art - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. May 9, 2013. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d McAllister, Sue (January 3, 2011). "Back story: Cathy Kimball leads San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art in 30th year". The Mercury News. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  7. ^ a b Scudder, Kirby (June 18, 2014). "Kirby Scudder: San Jose ICA brings in innovative artist Amy Ellingson". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  8. ^ Villarreal, Ignacio (July 28, 2006). "San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art Relocates". ArtDaily. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  9. ^ Yau, John (January 13, 2013). "The World According to Charles Ginnever". Hyperallergic. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  10. ^ Desmarais, Charles (May 29, 2020). "Alison Gass named new director at San José Institute of Contemporary Art". Datebook | San Francisco Arts & Entertainment Guide. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  11. ^ Pizarro, Sal (June 3, 2020). "New era set to start at San Jose's Institute of Contemporary Art". The Mercury News. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
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37°19′40″N 121°53′02″W / 37.3277°N 121.8840°W / 37.3277; -121.8840