New site offers expanded artist and curatorial content, greater access to images and information from the ICA’s collection and exhibitions, multimedia features, and more

(Boston, Sept. 17, 2015)—The Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston (ICA) has relaunched its website, www.icaboston.org, today announced Jill Medvedow, the museum’s Ellen Matilda Poss Director. The first major redesign in ten years, the relaunch represents a new chapter in the ICA’s online presence. The site will feature robust, expanded content—including artist interviews, curatorial essays, behind-the-scenes museum images, and related news features from Boston and beyond—to more fully reflect the richness of the museum’s exhibitions, performance, and educational programs.

“The relaunch marks the start of an exciting new era in how the ICA creates and shares our collection, programs, and knowledge,” said Medvedow. “Our online features extend the artists’ voice and curatorial ideas—commentary, interviews, images, and publications—into the digital sphere where they are open to a global audience. We share diverse perspectives on the art at the ICA as well as timely and relevant voices from our community and around the world, all contributing to a dynamic online discourse and new ICA experience.”

New web features include:

  • Editorially driven content created by ICA staff and curators including essays, travelogues, thought pieces, artist Q&As, recommendations for exhibitions and performances outside the ICA, and behind-the-scenes images from exhibition installations and performance rehearsals.
  • “In the News” section: A regularly updated compilation of art news articles related to ICA artists, staff, and exhibitions.
  • Access to object information and images for works of art in the ICA Collection, including a special section devoted to the Barbara Lee Collection of Art by Women.
  • An extensive Education section featuring publications on the ICA’s award-winning teen arts program, teacher resource sheets, and tips for families visiting the museum
  • An expanded video and audio page, featuring exhibition previews, artist interviews, studio visits, and talks between artists and curators.
  • A historical timeline highlighting key moments and exhibitions in ICA history
  • A streamlined exhibition page layout, making it easy for visitors to view related talks, tours, and events, and store merchandise, as well as exhibition-related articles and reviews, images, and video.
  • An overhauled “Calendar” section, enabling visitors to easily filter events by genre; category type, such as “Free”; or event timeframe, such as ‘This Weekend.”
  • An elegant and user-friendly design that adapts seamlessly to mobile devices and tablets
  • Enhanced social sharing capabilities

The site launches with an essay on Black Mountain College by Medvedow, as well as an introduction to the coming year’s internationally driven exhibition schedule by recently appointed Barbara Lee Chief Curator, Eva Respini. Forthcoming content to be published on icaboston.org this fall includes:

  • An essay on the connections between sculpture and photography by Dan Byers, ICA Senior Curator, in connection with current and upcoming exhibitions on Erin Shirreff, Diane Simpson, and Geoffrey Farmer.
  • An essay on race and Black Mountain College by Bryan Barcena, ICA curatorial assistant.
  • Behind-the-scenes images from the exhibition Leap Before You Look: Black Mountain College 1933-1957 and its preparation.
  • An interview with Silas Riener, former member of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, on reprising Cunningham works as part of Leap Before You Look.
  • A travelogue through Italy and Switzerland by Barcena.

The new site is overseen by Kris Wilton, the ICA’s Creative Content Manager, an art writer and former editor at ARTnews and Artinfo.com. “It’s been extremely gratifying to delve deep into the ICA’s programming, mission, and goals and reconsider how the institution presents itself digitally,” Wilton said. “Launching the new site is just part of a larger refresh of how we offer dynamic engagement with art of all kinds for visitors both near and far, one that will continue to be a priority in years to come.”

The website was created in partnership with Digital Loom, a web design and development company based in Cambridge, Mass.