San Diego’s Institute of Contemporary Art Receives Four Grants Totaling $277,000

The Institute of Contemporary Art San Diego has received four grants totaling $277,000 to “further its vision of using art to connect people in powerful ways and build vibrant communities,” it was announced Wednesday.

The Prebys Foundation, San Diego’s Commission for Arts and Culture, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the C.J. & Dot Stafford Memorial Trust awarded the grants to ICA San Diego. The funds will support the museum’s free C You Saturday! family events, artist talks, new contemporary art exhibitions and local artist mentorship programs across its campuses in Balboa Park and Encinitas.

“Our community recognizes the powerful impact contemporary art has on our region,” said Andrew Utt, executive director of ICA San Diego. “Through our exhibitions and programs, we help people experience their world from fresh perspectives. We are grateful for the support from our grantors, donors, and sponsors which enables us to grow and refine our vision.”

ICA San Diego commissions local and international artists, offering them space to create and grow professionally. The recent awards come on the heels of similar funding by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

“We strive to reduce barriers to contemporary art and these grants make it possible to continue that work in our community,” said Jordan Karney Chaim, ICA San Diego curator. “We encourage everyone to visit our museum and explore a new perspective of their world through our admission-free engagement opportunities, which help make contemporary art a little less intimidating.”

ICA San Diego will host a C You Saturday! event at its North campus located at 1550 S. El Camino Real in Encinitas on Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m. in celebration of two new exhibitions by Manuel Alejandro Rodríguez-Delgado and San Diego’s own Melissa Walter.

In September, ICA San Diego will hold a similar opening celebration for exhibiting artists at its Balboa Park location for Nathalie Miebach and Rafael Lozano-Hemmer.

–City News Service