ICA San Diego / Central image

ICA San Diego / Central

Tourist attraction Museum Art gallery Cultural center Art museum Art center Arts organization

Contemporary art space with exhibitions & events showcasing artists working in the local area. People often mention museum, free, exhibits, time, show,


Address

1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

Website

www.icasandiego.org

Contact

(619) 236-0011

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (123 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 12 to 5 PM
  • Sunday: 12 to 5 PM
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: Closed
  • Thursday: 12 to 5 PM
  • Friday: 12 to 5 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: museum (13) free (9) exhibits (7) time (6) show (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Neal 10 months ago on Google • 347 reviews
    Very unique, beautiful, and interesting art is on display here. Most of the art is on the lower level. Admission is free, but they accept donations.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 A.A 4 years ago on Google • 197 reviews
    Cool experience they have a thing called wonder spaces , vr art videos made by individual people it's nothing crazy but entertaining nice little activity to do , $15 get your 4 different vr experiences .
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Cristelle M. 1 year ago on Google • 232 reviews
    Very strange and unique and colorful art - I loved it! If you’re into that kind of stuff, but I think they rotate the art every so often. It was free entrance :)
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alexandra 11 months ago on Google • 517 reviews
    Accessibility: there are no restrooms inside here; you have to go to another building to find one. There is an elevator once you come inside that takes you down to the bottom floor where the museum begins. It is all flat ground from there. Experience: this museum is FREE, which is awesome! You can leave a cash donation if you want to support the artists and museum. The exhibition I saw was on the fact that humans are destroying the planet, and it was interesting but definitely not kid friendly (this time). I think other times they have more kid friendly exhibits. I do recommend checking this place out! It's good to support local museums and keep them in business. ****edit***** the business owner replied and said there is a restroom here for customers but I went last week, I asked the employee, and she said there was not one...she said I had to leave the building to find one. Sounds like there is a miscommunication between employees.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 SG 7 months ago on Google • 74 reviews
    I mean, it's free to enter. You can literally just waltz right in, so I don't see why it should be anything but five stars. The art will make you think.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Heathe M. 11 months ago on Google • 214 reviews
    I knew about the show last Saturday but it wasn't open when I got there but, I did get to meet Victor Who is the host. Today, is Friday and my son and I went to lunch in the park and also to enjoy this new show. I will have to say that this is a true Art in the Park show. I have not seen anything this creative in years. The creators are the de la Torre Brothers and the show is called Bolivian Futuristic. I have posted a little over 30 photos and a little information about the show. It is thought-provoking, creative beyond belief and very interactive. If you have time go see it before it leaves San Diego. You won't be disappointed.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Terie K. 5 years ago on Google
    The CNote: sold a picture. Yey for me!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sandy G. 6 years ago on Google
    Great place to turn your dreams into a reality! Helpful staff, great facility, plenty of parking, & great vibe.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Jamie B. 7 years ago on Google
    Keeping the arts alive and vibrant in San Diego can be credited partly to this institution. Shoe your support for the arts or become a part.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jim P. 5 years ago on Google • 248 reviews
    Wow! What a find! An excellent troves of contemporary art was a true surprise. Don't pass this gem by on your trip to Balboa Park.

  • 5/5 Christina P. 5 years ago on Google • 140 reviews
    So beautiful and relaxing

  • 4/5 Khai L. 4 years ago on Google • 99 reviews
    I was here when the exhibits were about art and science to tell stories about climate change, and other topics. The museum was free that day and had interesting pieces hung from the ceiling and pinned on the wall. It's best to have a docent walk you through the idea behind them so you can appreciate them more. The museum is pretty small and doesn't take long to see everything.

  • 5/5 Natasha S. 5 years ago on Google
    I love this museum. It has amazing art every time I go.

  • 5/5 Jill F. 5 years ago on Google
    Looks like a fun place to explore your inner artist!

  • 4/5 Chris S. 5 years ago on Google
    Very small, single-exhibition style art gallery. Fair price for entry, just check the exhibit on display before you go.

  • 4/5 Gouryella H. 6 years ago on Google
    I guess we showed up at the wrong time because there were very few pieces on display. A few of them were pretty neat.

  • 5/5 Liam R. 8 years ago on Google
    Small but provactive museum. Worth the $5 entry.

  • 5/5 Holly Beard (. 2 years ago on Google
    Excellent exhibits from around the world!! 🖼🌎

  • 5/5 Walter W. 2 years ago on Google
    So glad there is a museum in Balboa Park focused on contemporary art!

  • 3/5 Maxine B. 2 years ago on Google
    The pictures you see here on google are pretty much the highlights of this museum. It has interesting exhibits but is a fairly small venue! Not counting the time spent on their special exhibit, you could make your way through all of the museum in under 2 hours because there is a limited number of exhibits. Their exhibits don't change very often so if you come often in a short time frame, then you will be looking at pretty much the same exhibits.

  • 4/5 scott g. 5 years ago on Google
    Nice

  • 4/5 Chien-Chang C. 4 years ago on Google
    The building tower is obviously when I passed by garden. But I didn’t go in

  • 2/5 Shiva J. 2 years ago on Google
    If you have ever been to a museum in Europe or bigger cities like NYC and LA, you will be very disappointed at San Diego art institute. It’s similar to a lot of free, local museums, but this one is not free. Not worth it.

  • 5/5 Elizabeth H. 5 years ago on Google • 60 reviews
    Small museum to see rotating exhibitions of contemporary art. It's inexpensive to visit and often not crowded. Staff is nice and there is a small gift shop. This is one of my favorite places to visit in Balboa park!

  • 5/5 Benjamin S. 5 years ago on Google
    A small space holding a dazzling display of artists with a wide variety of works and installations. I especially loved the moving and interactive "That They Might Be Heirs" collection of works. This art requires some pause and reflection to get the perspective of the artists but it is well worth the pause.

  • 5/5 Patrick S. 4 years ago on Google
    Great place to view art. Nice ambiance and friendly people.

  • 3/5 Jieun O. 6 years ago on Google
    I think maybe I came on a quieter day.. guess it was fine since it was an SD resident free day and there is a video room which u can watch a short clip and also headphones that allow u to try on

  • 5/5 2souls4ever 5 years ago on Google
    Will definitely be going back this place was awesome there's so much to see the Landscaping is beautiful and the architectural work is amazing if you love walking you probably won't mind but if you don't it's not the place for you the parking is for it's free but it's far you have to do lots of walking just to get to where you're going I didn't mind cuz I love walking

  • 5/5 Victor M. 4 years ago on Google
    Beautiful things inside this building

  • 5/5 Joseph H. 5 years ago on Google
    Very happy with the way they treated my pieces from their c-note art show. They professionally packaged all three of my pieces carefully.

  • 5/5 Mark W. 4 years ago on Google
    As good as it gets in San Diego. Nice museum collection and good visting exhibitions.

  • 5/5 danny 5 years ago on Google
    Great place to visit even if your not an art lover. See and learn some very interesting things that you didn't know. It could very well make you smile, it did me.

  • 5/5 Noj K. 4 years ago on Google
    Wonderful curated art with a friendly staff.

  • 5/5 Kirsten A. 4 years ago on Google
    Fantastic venue with cutting edge creative work

  • 3/5 Ray G. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very nice works (Original) Obras muy bonitas

  • 5/5 Armani W. 4 years ago on Google
    Love this spot.

  • 5/5 Elena C. 4 years ago on Google
    Very nice place!

  • 5/5 M. R. R. 5 years ago on Google
    See masters for free.

  • 5/5 Octavio Avendaño T. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A prolific dialogue of works of Latino, queer and afro artists proposed by the artist and curator Rubén Esparza in one of the most important museums in the region. (Original) Un prolífico diálogo de obras de artistas latinos, queer y afro que propone el artista y curador Rubén Esparza en uno de los museos más relevantes de la región.

  • 5/5 Cyndi G. 4 years ago on Google
    The gardens are beautiful too

  • 5/5 Anthony W. 4 years ago on Google
    Lovely place

  • 5/5 Rosie T. 4 years ago on Google
    Loved it

  • 2/5 Andrew H. 4 years ago on Google
    Too much modern art, no one needs that

  • 4/5 Luis Juan F. 4 years ago on Google
    Spanish Arquitecture during a Fair that was never finished & ended up as Museum of Man

  • 5/5 Ed H. 4 years ago on Google
    Showcase for San Diego's artist community. And they will soon be adding a coffee concession that is part of the Mingei.

  • 3/5 Char H. 5 years ago on Google
    Enjoyed

  • 5/5 Ruth L. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Great A journey. (Original) Super Eine Reise werd.

  • 5/5 Satish B. 5 years ago on Google
    Lot of fun for everyone.

  • 5/5 Aaron B. 4 years ago on Google
    A great place like no other in San Diego, fair prices with so much wonderful and even historic art pieces! A must for all!


Call (619) 236-0011 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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