ICA-LA Plans Upgrade

Rendering of new entrance to ICA-LA

The Institute of Contemporary Art Los Angeles is planning a $12 million upgrade that will add a cafe, a new entrance, public spaces, and artist's studios. Over $7 million have been raised for the project, including a $4.4 million gift from Jarl Mohn and family that will be put towards purchase of the existing building.

Existing entrance and parking lot

ICA-LA's 8-car parking lot will be sacrificed for the cafe. Visitors will be directed to a nearby commercial lot.

The artist's studios are a response to rising rents in the Arts District, which are forcing out artists who once moved to the area for its affordability. Meanwhile Downtown L.A. has become a museum boomtown. The ICA-LA announcement comes two months after the Broad disclosed its $100 million expansion plans. In Exposition Park, the $1 billion Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is under construction, as are architectural projects at the Natural History Museum and the California Science Center.