ICA

Boston is poised to become a focal point for contemporary art, with the highly touted opening of the new Institute of Contemporary Artsin its dramatic new quarters. The building is a work of art in itself – a striking glass structure cantilevered over a waterside plaza. The spacious light-filled interior allows for multimedia presentations, educational programs and studio space. More importantly, it provides the venue for the development of the ICA’s permanent collection of 21st-century art.

Several galleries are dedicated to the growing permanent collection and the ongoing Momentum series, while others rotate, showcasing national and international artists working in a wide variety of media, from painting and sculpture to audio and video. Recent exhibits have featured creative and controversial figures like graffiti-artist Shepard Fairey and sculptor Tara Donovan. Various kinds of performance art often appear in the theater. Thursday nights are free for all after 5pm, while families enjoy free admission on the last Saturday of the month.