New Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU Appoints Stephanie Smith as Chief Curator

Today, the Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond announced that Stephanie Smith will join its growing team as Chief Curator. The non-collecting institution, dedicated to presenting the art of today, will unveil its new building designed by Steven Holl Architects in fall 2017. Smith, who is currently Chief Curator at the Art Gallery of Ontario, will work closely with ICA Director Lisa Freiman to help set the new institution's artistic vision and create a dynamic inaugural program. Smith will join the ICA in November 2016.

Steven Holl Architects has engineered an open and fluid design for the building that is uniquely suited to fulfill the vision of the ICA. With nearly 41,000 square feet of flexible programming space across three stories, the ICA is prominently positioned in Richmond's historic Belvedere and Broad intersection, serving as a striking entrance to VCU's campus. Simultaneously exhibition and performance space, lab and incubator, the ICA embraces the increasing lack of barriers in contemporary art, and mirrors VCU's interdisciplinary approacH. Smith, who served as the Deputy Director and Chief Curator of the Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago prior to her role at the AGO, brings her extensive experience in both university and contemporary art museums to launch this vital new resource for VCU, the Richmond community, and the art world at large.

Photo CreditL Yuula Benivolsk.