Culture

ICA Miami doubles exhibition space with de la Cruz building acquisition

Upon completion of renovations to the de la Cruz Building, ICA Miami is set to double its exhibition space.

Por: Rubén Carrillo October 24, 2024

ICA Miami Doubles Exhibition Space with de la Cruz Building Acquisition / Photo via ICA Miami

In what may be the most significant development in Miami’s art scene this year, the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami (ICA) announced it will take over the vacant de la Cruz Collection building.

The contemporary art museum shared in a press release that ICA Miami will expand into the building at 23 NE 41st St. in the Design District, just down the block from its current premises.

The three-story space was previously owned and operated by the de la Cruz Collection, which closed earlier this year following the passing of its founder, Rosa de la Cruz.

The expansion will add 30,000 square feet to the ICA, effectively doubling its exhibition area and allowing the museum to occupy half a city block. This will give ICA a footprint similar to that of New York’s Museum of Modern Art and enable it to compete more directly with other institutions, like the Pérez Art Museum Miami, to become Miami’s premier art institution. ICA also plans to use the de la Cruz building for educational programming in the coming months before beginning renovations.

“At this pivotal moment in the history of Miami’s arts landscape, ICA Miami’s expansion represents a natural next step by providing much-needed space to showcase the work of important artists and to broaden our educational outreach,” said Alex Gartenfeld, artistic director of ICA Miami, in a statement.

According to the museum, the building was acquired for $25 million “through a robust capital campaign funded entirely by private contributions.” This campaign includes a $5 million grant from the Knight Foundation in support of digital innovation. Additional benefactors include Design District founder Craig Robins and ICA Miami board chair Ray Ellen Yarkin.

Rumors about ICA acquiring the de la Cruz building had circulated for some time. Sources close to the matter noted that even before Rosa de la Cruz’s death in February this year, there had been discussions for ICA to take over the building. Given its proximity and shared mission, many saw ICA as the natural successor for the property.

Key members of the de la Cruz organization have supported the acquisition. Outgoing de la Cruz Collection director Melissa Wallen told New Times, “This is a significant moment for the de la Cruz Collection, which has long been committed to making contemporary art accessible to the public. ICA Miami is set to honor this mission, ensuring that the legacy of inspiring and engaging with the community continues.”

Earlier this year, ICA Miami faced scrutiny after it preemptively removed an artwork perceived as pro-Palestinian, temporarily pulling Charles Gaines’ portrait of the late Palestinian-American scholar Edward Said.

Founded in 2014, ICA came into being after several patrons separated from North Miami’s Museum of Contemporary Art. The institution initially occupied the nearby Moore Building in the Design District until its current space at 61 NE 41st St., designed by Aranguren & Gallegos Arquitectos, opened in 2017.

The new building was primarily funded by billionaire Miami car dealer Norman Braman, a prominent Republican donor who has also drawn attention for supporting Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

The museum celebrated its tenth anniversary this year with an exhibition of its permanent collection titled “Toward the Celestial: ICA Miami’s Collection at 10 Years.” Since its opening, ICA has welcomed over a million visitors, organized nearly 100 exhibitions, and hosted lectures and performances by musicians such as Sega Bodega, Actress, and Sophie.

If you liked this article about ICA Miami, please share it. You can also read this article about Populus Hotel in the Luster English section.

ICA Miami doubles exhibition space with de la Cruz building acquisition

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