Nonmember tickets have sold out but free member tickets are still available. Join now!

Dive into an underwater extravaganza featuring art, drinks, music, and dancing with oceanside views. Step onto the seafloor in Firelei Báez’s brand new grotto-like installations and Wu Tsang’s Moby Dick-inspired immersive sound and video artwork Of Whales. Grab your aquatic attire (don’t be salty) and belt karaoke with The Teachers’ Lounge and Boston While Black. Sea you there!

If your company is a corporate member or sponsor, you may receive additional First Friday benefits. Please contact corporatepartners@icaboston.org for more information. 

Program

DJ Paul Yvng | 6–10 PM
State Street Corporation Lobby, First Floor
Ride the tidal groove with DJ Paul Yvng as they spin hypnotic deep sea beats!

Karaoke with DJ Owtlaw | 7–9 PM
Barbara Lee Family Foundation Theater, Second Floor
Channel your inner siren with DJ Owtlaw and sing along to hits under the shimmering lights.

Mapping your Identity | 6–9 PM
State Street Corporation Lobby, First Floor
Reflect on how your personal background and culture has shaped your experiences in Greater Boston with a collage activity inspired by Firelei Báez.

Pop Up Talks | 7 + 8 PM
Fourth Floor, Bridgitt and Bruce Evans and Karen and Brian Conway Galleries
Join Boston While Black, The Teacher’s Lounge, and ICA Curatorial Assistant, Tessa Bachi Haas, for a conversation about two works presented in Firelei Báez.

ICA Store | 6–7 PM
First Floor
Shop the hottest, offbeat finds! All purchases at the ICA Store or icastore.org help support exhibitions and programming at the museum.

ICA Galleries | 6–9 PM
Fourth Floor, Food + Drink Not Permitted
Explore the galleries and see our newest exhibitions Firelei Báez, Wordplay, Igshaan Adams, and Wu Tsang: Of Whales.

Sips + Snacks  | 6–9:30 PM
Bars on First + Second Floor; Food on First Floor
Enjoy ocean-inspired light bites and drinks for sale.

About the partners

Boston While Black is a membership network founded by Sheena Collier for Black professionals, entrepreneurs, and students who are seeking connection and community. Through their digital platform and in-person and virtual programming, they provide an authentic opportunity to members who are seeking access to culturally-relevant experiences, information and resources to navigate the city. Since its inception in July 2020, we have grown from a cohort of 100 founding members to a thriving membership of over 1,000! They remain committed to shaping a city where Black people want to live and work because they have access to the spaces, tools, and relationships to find their tribe, grow their network, navigate the city, and have fun!

The Teachers’ Lounge is an education-based nonprofit organization seeking to drive unprecedented student outcomes by greatly diversifying the people, thoughts, and actions of the educational workforce in the Greater Boston Area and beyond. In efforts to recruit, revitalize, and retain Educators of Color, The Teachers’ Lounge develops and implements innovative solutions for building more diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning and professional environments for all stakeholders.  Our areas of focus include community cultivation, learning and development, sustainability and growth, and representative research.  The Teachers’ Lounge intentionally works at the intersection of individual, school-based, and gover.

*Subject to availability. Doors close at 9:30 PM.

This 21+ event does sell out; advance tickets are highly recommended. $3 fee applies and is waived for ICA members. Discounted rates are available for packages of 10 or more. University members are not eligible for free admission to this event. Please contact Visitor Services at visitorservices@icaboston.org or 617-478-3100 during open hours for more information. The museum will not be open to visitors outside of the First Fridays event. Discounts, promotions, and admission vouchers do not apply toward First Fridays admission. The ICA store will close at 7 PM. Galleries close at 9 PM. Bars, Art Lab, doors close at 9:30 PM. Re-entry permitted. Food and drink will be available for purchase at our cashless bars—we accept all major credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

First Fridays: Under the Sea is created in partnership with Boston While Black and the Teachers’ Lounge.