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Forbes magazine recently listed Richmond, Virginia as one of the top ten up-and-coming cities in the world for entrepreneurial startups, calling it “a hotbed of activity.” Crediting its quality of life, strategic location, thriving cultural arts scene, tax incentives, and great universities (including Virginia Commonwealth University), Forbes predicts that Richmond is “poised to make a big splash in the next several years.”
The Markel Center at the corner of Broad and Belvidere streets, one of the most heavily traveled intersections in Richmond, with 60,000 cars passing through each day. 2
THE ICA ► Located just off Interstate 95 at Belvidere
and Broad streets ► Tied to the #1-ranked public art and design
school in the country ► Set within Virginia Commonwealth University,
a major public urban research university ► Located in a city increasingly known for its high
quality of life, diverse cultural offerings, food scene, and creative and entrepreneurial start-ups ► A gathering place for students, faculty, and
the community
Richmond needs a place for the art of today. Innovative. Ever-changing. Always challenging. Forever new.
This beautiful facility is a testament to the unyielding spirit of a premier urban research university that is committed to excellence, with both a No. 1-ranked School of the Arts and a No. 1-ranked Medical Center. And because we are an
VCU’s 41,000-square-foot Institute for
important part of the city we serve, the
Contemporary Art will be a non-collecting insti-
ICA will also elevate our entire region of
tution that showcases a fresh slate of changing
extraordinarily wise and generous people
exhibitions ranging from innovative visual and
who are full of ambition and innovation,
performing arts to various forms of design and film.
who are inspired to achieve, and who will
The ICA at the Markel Center will be an inspiring
never settle for anything but excellence
place to explore new ideas, objects, experiences, and
—whether in art or in the progress of their
materials related to the central issues of our time.
community. With the ICA, the community
Mission The ICA will create a new environment for artists from around the world to test unconventional ideas, to cross disciplinary boundaries, and to inspire their audiences. This dynamic setting will support a mix of artistic vision, creative collaboration, and community engagement with the goal
and VCU come together to advance the human experience through art, creativity, innovation, education, and enrichment of both body and mind. Dr. Michael Rao President, Virginia Commonwealth University
of questioning assumptions, encouraging critical discourse, and illuminating our lives. 3
The ICA will be a venue for contemporary art that stretches the imagination, explores the boundaries of communication and media, and will truly brand the city as a creative capital. Anne M. Grier Chair, Visual Arts Center Board of Directors
West face of the ICA at North Pine Street. 4
The ICA is an important step forward for Richmond. It will transform a crucial piece of geography where thousands of people pass each day. It will be a stunning reminder that Richmond is a progressive, interesting place. The activities inside, from exhibitions and performances to classes and lectures, will attract visitors from around the country and region, inspiring people of all ages and incomes. The ICA will cement VCU’s leadership as the premier public arts school in the country and will be a magnet for aspiring artists, teachers, and patrons. We will feel, and many will respond to, the creative energy surrounding this wonderful space. Brad Armstrong Partner, The Martin Agency ICA Campaign Committee Member 5
When Thomas Jefferson designed the Virginia State Capitol, he made an architectural statement about the ideal of governance; his creation was transformational for Richmond and for the state. Now, over two centuries later, Steven Holl, FAIA, has employed his mastery of contemporary design to shape a visual arts space that celebrates people’s spirit, imagination, and sense of wonder. Although the buildings are across downtown Richmond from one another, the newer has the potential to likewise transfigure our city through its creative tension… spanning time and space to reflect and shape humanity’s noblest ideals. Helene Combs Dreiling, FAIA 2014 President, American Institute of Architects
Architect Steven Holl speaks to a group of VCUarts Pollak Society members at the Virginia Center for Architecture. 6
THE ARCHITECT Steven Holl Architects was unanimously selected to design VCU’s ICA from an impressive pool of 63 architecture firms from around the world. Based in New York City and Beijing, Steven Holl Architects has realized architectural works internationally, with extensive experience in the arts, campus and residential work, and master planning. Holl specializes in integrating new projects into contexts with cultural and historical importance, using sustainable building and site development. The firm has been internationally recognized with many of architecture’s most prestigious awards for quality and excellence in design.
Steven Holl Architects ► R eceived the 2014 Praemium Imperiale prize
We have designed the building to be a flexible, forward-looking instrument that can illuminate the transformative possibilities of contemporary art. Like
in Architecture awarded annually by the Japan
many contemporary artists working
Art Association
today, the ICA’s design does not draw
► R eceived the American Institute of Architects
2012 Gold Award, the highest honor an architect can receive in the U.S. ► Recognized by the American Academy of Arts
and Letters ► Named America’s best architect for “buildings
that satisfy the spirit as well as the eye” by Time magazine
distinctions between the visual and performing arts. The fluidity of the design allows for experimentation and will encourage new ways to display and present art that will capitalize on the ingenuity and creativity apparent throughout the VCU campus. Steven Holl Principal, Steven Holl Architects
One of Architect Steven Holl’s watercolor studies exploring concepts of space and time for the ICA at the Markel Center. 7
Above: Forum opening to the sculpture garden. Below: Abby W. Moore CafĂŠ offering indoor and outdoor seating. 8
LEVEL ONE
Forum
G El lass ev at or
Re ce pt io n
Beverly W. Reynolds Gallery
Martha D. Newell Reflection Pool
Café oore W. M y b Ab
The Lewis & Butler Foundation ICA Shop
M F ar W oun y M at da or er ti to Fe on n at Br Pa ur oa rs e d on St s re et
Auditorium
The Markel Center will have two entrances leading into an inviting 33-foot-high forum. One entrance will open to the city and the other towards VCU’s Monroe Park campus, welcoming both community and university participation in the ICA. The first floor features a café, which opens directly to the sculpture garden, the ICA shop, an auditorium with flexible seating for more than 240 people, and a 4,000-square-foot gallery.
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Above: Second floor gallery. Below: Auditorium. 10
LEVEL T WO
New M Sculpt arket Corp ure Te o rrace ration
G El lass ev at or
Gallery 2
Gallery 3
g nin
ear le L f xib e l F ace or y o Sp Mem r y N. In Mur s Dr. Pillar De
Auditorium
The second floor features two large galleries with skylights, access to the sculpture terrace, a flexible classroom, a balcony overlooking the forum, and an entrance to the state-of-the-art auditorium.
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Above: True Farr Luck Gallery. Below: Richard S. Reynolds Foundation Board Room. 12
LEVEL THREE
G El lass ev at or
The third floor will include a
R R ich F ey ar Bo oun nold d S. ar da s d tio Ro n om
True Farr Luck Gallery
dramatic two-story gallery that will accommodate oversized and suspended art works, as well as the main administrative offices,
Administrative Suite
and a board room.
LOWER LEVEL Art Storage
Art Prep Space In Memory of Cindy L. Neuschwander
Lounge Area and Restrooms
Workshop Coat Check
G El lass ev at or
Green Room
The lower level will include additional office space, a green room, a catering preparation area, art storage, a workshop, art preparation space, the lower lobby, restrooms, and the coat check.
Storage
Administrative Offices
n ratio epa g Pr in r Cate en h Kitc
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Above: The ICA’s green roof will decrease the building’s environmental footprint. Below: The entry fountain presents visitors with a glistening, babbling water feature. 14
SUSTAINABILIT Y AND LEED In advancement of VCU’s commitment to science,
increasing insulation; and glass walls designed
technology, and environmental responsibility, the
to exhaust heat in the summer and harness it in
ICA’s design incorporates many environmentally-
the winter. The project is designed to meet LEED
friendly elements, making use of natural resources
platinum certification standards, the highest level
whenever possible. This includes the use of
of sustainable building recognized by the U.S.
geothermal wells to provide heating and cooling
Green Building Council. It’s anticipated to be the
energy for the building; green roofs to absorb
first LEED Platinum Certif ied public building within
storm water, filter pollutants, lower urban
the city of Richmond.
air temperature, and reduce energy costs by
Green roofs absorb storm water, maximize insulation and engender bio-diversity
Glass cavity wall modulates natural light, exhausts heat in summer and harnesses heat in winter
Stormwater is treated and fills the sculpture garden reflecting pool and entry fountain
Geothermal wells provide heating and cooling for building
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ICA Site Broad Street Art District and First Fridays Artwalk VCU buildings
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Economic Development Director, City of Richmond
FO
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Lee Downey
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CAwith the ICA is one the entire region should embrace. the prospect of crowning this district AD AM
PINE ST
With downtown Broad Street becoming a destination for Richmond’s thriving arts community,
RN P IKE
WE NEED TH E ICA There is a void in our city. Richmond lacks a creative hub for a growing community of art, performance, and design lovers, and Richmond is ready to join the international conversation
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▻ The Contemporary Austin ▻ Institute of Boston Contemporary Art
about contemporary art.
▻ The Renaissance Society Chicago
VCU’s Institute for Contemporary Art
▻ Contemporary Arts Houston Museum
► W ill be the only venue in Richmond dedicated
solely to exploring the art of our time in all media from around the world ► W ill provide a public place for the community
to engage with VCUarts’ talent and international connections ► Will be a new civic and cultural plaza ► W ill revitalize the most traveled intersection
in the city and ignite economic activity ► W ill play an educational role in the teaching
Los Angeles ▻ Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art
New York ▻ New Museum
Philadelphia ▻ Institute of Contemporary Art Richmond ▻ INSTITUTE FOR CONTEMPORARY ART
You can help make the ICA a reality.
and training of undergraduate and graduate students and contribute to the life-long learning of the community ► W ill complement VCUarts and other cultural
institutions in the city ► Will be part of a cultural landscape that
will draw the “creative class” to the city and help keep them here ► Will demonstrate a commitment to the
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next generation
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Virginia continues to be successful in attracting talented people – including those who generate creative ideas for companies and jobs – because we understand the role that the arts play in building strong and vibrant communities. The ICA’s landmark building will be a gateway to the city and will make Richmond a center for the world’s most innovative art and ideas. Steve Markel Vice Chairman, Markel Corporation Co-Chair, ICA Campaign Committee
Steve Markel, Kathie Markel, and VCU President Micheal Rao at the June 3, 2014 groundbreaking for VCU’s Institute for Contemporary Art. 18
ENHANCING QUALIT Y OF LIFE The ICA at the Markel Center has already earned
are a part of what makes communities livable.
the distinction of being one of Virginia’s top 100
Museums, galleries, and performance halls bring
buildings even before it’s built.
crowds of people and attract restaurants and other businesses to an area, thereby contributing
Richmond and other cities in the U.S. have proven
to the economic health and quality of life of
the positive economic benefits of having a vibrant
the community. The Knight Foundation report
arts community. Arts districts around the world
emphasizes the positive correlation between
have contributed to urban redevelopment,
community attachment and the local GDP.
increased tourism, and improved national and international reputations. According to Carol Coletta’s Fostering the Creative City, “Research by The Reinvestment Fund shows that cultural engagement indicators are important predictors
Arts and Cultural Organizations in Virginia ► Generate $849 million in annual revenues for
of real estate market improvement. So it only
businesses and $342 million in annual revenues
makes sense that concentrating arts activity… can
for tourism through spending by out-of-state
have a powerful effect on real estate values and
visitors to cultural organizations
that cities would encourage their development.”
► Host nearly 30 million patrons each year ► Attract out-of-state visitors (37% of those
A 2010 “Soul of the Community” survey conducted
who paid admissions to arts and cultural
by the Knight Foundation indicated that a
organizations live outside Virginia)
significant connection exists between the level of residents’ emotional attachment to their community and its economic growth. Notably, the number one factor contributing to that connection is social offerings, which includes availability of arts and cultural activities. The arts
► Supplement their budgets with an estimated
$62 million in grant income annually ► Raise an estimated $74 million in
contributions annually ► Organize 1.4 million hours of volunteer time to
improve the quality of life for all Virginians
Sources: Fostering the Creative City, Carol Coletta, 2008; Rise of the Creative Class, Richard Florida, 2004; Knight Soul of the Community, Knight Foundation, 2010; Creative Industry Outlook for 2010, FunctionFox Report; Virginians for the Arts: The Economic Impact of Arts and Cultural Organizations in VA, The Wessex Group, 2000. 19
So many people are interested in making sure that VCUarts maintains its power. The bottom line is: a great arts school needs a great exhibition space. We’re long overdue. The ICA will be a catalyst for new kinds of artistic explorations and discourse for the VCU community while contributing to the national and international conversation in the arts. Joe Seipel Dean, VCU School of the Arts Tony Matelli, Josh, 2010; Silicone, hair, fiberglass, urethan, steel and clothes; Installation view, VCUarts Anderson Gallery (Winter 2012). 20
THE RIGHT LEADER Dr. Lisa Freiman The university is fortunate to have found an ICA director who has such deep and far-ranging experience in contemporary art and a clear commitment to scholarship. Dr. Lisa Freiman brings a wealth of ideas and energy to both the ICA and VCUarts, and the students, staff, and faculty will benefit greatly from her leadership and insight. The decision to hire her was unanimous. Freiman is an internationally recognized curator and leader in the contemporary art field. During her 10 years at the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA), Freiman transformed the experience of contemporary art in Indianapolis. She created a Andrew Bordwin
dynamic and widely renowned contemporary art program that has become an influential model for museums. Freiman has provided a platform to support artists’ work through major traveling exhibitions, commissions, acquisitions, and publications. In 2011, Freiman served as commissioner of the U.S. Pavilion in the 54th International Art Exhibition, la Biennale di Venezia, presenting six newly commissioned, site-responsive works by Puerto
Lisa Freiman is a power to watch. Art + Auction magazine
incredibly driven and goal-oriented The New York Times
Rico-based artists Allora & Calzadilla. Under Freiman’s vision and direction, the IMA opened 100 Acres: The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park to international critical acclaim in June 2010. 100 Acres provided a new model for sculpture parks,
progressive… community-engaged… forward looking NUVO
emphasizing experimentation, place-making, and public engagement with a constantly changing constellation of commissioned artworks.
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VCU helped shape the artist I am today. Its ICA will greatly expand opportunities for tomorrow’s students. Tara Donovan Sculptor, MacArthur Fellow, VCUarts MFA alumna ICA International Advisory Board member
Tara Donovan, Untitled (Mylar), 2011; Mylar and hot glue; Represented by Pace Gallery, New York. Photo by G.R. Christmas Courtesy The Pace Gallery. 22
SUPPORT TH E IC A
Join The Campaign We are honored to be leading the fundraising efforts for VCU’s new Institute for Contemporary
ICA CAMPAIGN COMMIT TEE
Art. Can a single building make a difference to a
Kathie Markel, Co-chair
city’s future? Our answer is decidedly “yes!”
Steve Markel, Co-chair Pam Royall, Co-chair
The ICA’s exhibitions, films, performances, and
Bill Royall, Co-chair
special programs will be a catalyst for creativity and broad civic engagement. The ICA will enhance quality of life and bolster the education of the next
Brad Armstrong
Nancy Lund
generation of the creative class.
Elizabeth Cabell
Paul Monroe
Meg Gottwald
Abby Moore
Freddie Gray
Tom Papa
Judith Guest
Bev Reynolds
Hiter Harris
Mike Schewel
We hope that you will join us in our efforts to make
Jil Harris
Carolyn Snow
a significant difference in the future of Richmond as
Neil Kessler
Harry Thalhimer
well as the larger national and international arenas.
True Luck
Marcia Thalhimer
John Luke
Anne Waleski
We are grateful to the many individuals, foundations, and corporations who have shown tremendous support for this project so far.
Thank you for your consideration.
ICA groundbreaking event. From left; Steve Markel, Kathie Markel, Joe Seipel, Steven Holl, Pam Royall, Bill Royall. 23
A few years ago, I read the elegant and famous book The Eyes of the Skin by the Finnish architect Juhani Pallasmaa. The introduction is written by Steven Holl, Pallasmaa’s close associate and peer, whose words prepare us for an unforgettable lesson on architecture and the human senses. Pallasmaa in turn begins and ends his book praising Holl’s work for its alertness to our full sensorium — not just our eyes but our ears and very skin, our haptic experience of space. When I learned that Steven Holl had been chosen as the architect for VCU’s new Institute for Contemporary Art, my heart leaped in amazement. For our very need of the ICA itself is a need for the direct, physical, in-the-flesh experience of works of contemporary art. Not in tiny pictures on the web, not in magazines, not in reviews of words: we must taste and feel and pace works of art in order to know them and be changed by them. Here is an architect whose legacy is built on the imperative of direct experience as knowledge. This institute and this building, and the art that will come to it, will provide us a form of knowledge that is essential to our evolution. Elizabeth King Professor, VCUarts Department of Sculpture + Extended Media Elizabeth King, Pupil, 1987–90; Collection of the Hirshhorn Museum, Washington DC; Represented by Danese Gallery, New York. 24
VCU AND VCUar ts Virginia Commonwealth University is a major public research university with national and international rankings in sponsored research. Located in downtown Richmond, VCU enrolls more than 31,000 students in 222 degree and certificate programs in the arts, sciences, and humanities. The VCU School of the Arts is comprised of 16 programs and more than 3,100 students. With the inclusion of our campus in Qatar, comes an additional five programs. VCUarts has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the #1 public graduate arts and design program in the country for more than a decade. Graduate students in our nine degree programs and 18 concentrations enjoy dedicated time in their studios while interacting with world-class faculty and an impressive group of visiting artists. Our students are encouraged to explore technology’s parameters and discover applications to new and traditional modes of expression while continuing to examine links between art, science, the humanities, and the conditions of the world. The
The ICA should be the place in Richmond to connect students and faculty to the ideas and experiences that reflect creative ways of being in the ever changing now of the contemporary art world. While the conversation will be rigorously international, it will also be vital to optimistically understanding urgent local concerns. Arnold J. Kemp Chair, VCUarts Department of Painting + Printmaking
graduate programs thrive in an atmosphere of high expectations and have received national and international attention for the quality of our students, the excellence of our faculty, and the success of alumni.
Arnold Kemp, LET HIS BODY BECOME A LIVING LETTER, 2013; Leather shoes handmade by the artist, seashells and welded steel; Courtesy The PDX Contemporary. Photo by Dan Kavitka. 25
After a paint performance by Markel leadership, a stencil was lifted and the ICA logo revealed, marking the future site of The ICA at the Markel Center during the groundbreaking ceremony June 3, 2014. 26
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Dr. Lisa D. Freiman Director ldfreiman@vcu.edu ica.vcu.edu
ica.vcu.edu