Allied Works shortlisted to design the Virginia Commonwealth University's Institute for Contemporary Art

Mar 15, 2011

Upon receiving qualifications from 64 international architecture firms, Allied Works is one of nine firms shortlisted to design the new Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University. The ICA is intended to serve as a new gateway to the university and bring the most important, cutting-edge contemporary art exhibits in the world to campus and the city of Richmond.

Located at the corner of Broad and Belvidere, near one of the most-traveled entrances to the city, the ICA will be a signature building for the School of the Arts and VCU, representing the best in international contemporary architecture and art, and a valuable community resource for Richmond. The ICA, which is expected to be 32,000-square-feet, will feature approximately 8,000-square-feet of gallery space, an outdoor installation space, a 210-seat auditorium with tiered seating, classrooms, a gift shop, a café with a catering kitchen and an entry hall suitable for exhibitions, installations and social events. It will provide a practical and dramatic space for the VCU School of the Arts, which has the top-ranked public graduate arts program in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report.

The ICA will be a non-collecting institution. It will initiate programming and collaborate with other institutions around the world on traveling exhibitions and other events. Offerings will include art and design exhibitions, public lectures, film screenings, performances, educational experiences, children’s programs, labs, artists’ residencies, international awards, symposia and community events and outreach efforts. ICA programming will be designed to engage the wider community, and its events and programs will serve area audiences.

As part of a large research university, the ICA also will provide opportunities to engage students, faculty, artists and others in experimental work that includes collaborations across the arts, sciences, humanities and business, enhancing the student experience.

Upon receiving qualifications from 64 international architecture firms, Allied Works is one of nine firms shortlisted to design the new Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University. The ICA is intended to serve as a new gateway to the university and bring the most important, cutting-edge contemporary art exhibits in the world to campus and the city of Richmond.

Located at the corner of Broad and Belvidere, near one of the most-traveled entrances to the city, the ICA will be a signature building for the School of the Arts and VCU, representing the best in international contemporary architecture and art, and a valuable community resource for Richmond. The ICA, which is expected to be 32,000-square-feet, will feature approximately 8,000-square-feet of gallery space, an outdoor installation space, a 210-seat auditorium with tiered seating, classrooms, a gift shop, a café with a catering kitchen and an entry hall suitable for exhibitions, installations and social events. It will provide a practical and dramatic space for the VCU School of the Arts, which has the top-ranked public graduate arts program in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report.

The ICA will be a non-collecting institution. It will initiate programming and collaborate with other institutions around the world on traveling exhibitions and other events. Offerings will include art and design exhibitions, public lectures, film screenings, performances, educational experiences, children’s programs, labs, artists’ residencies, international awards, symposia and community events and outreach efforts. ICA programming will be designed to engage the wider community, and its events and programs will serve area audiences.

As part of a large research university, the ICA also will provide opportunities to engage students, faculty, artists and others in experimental work that includes collaborations across the arts, sciences, humanities and business, enhancing the student experience.