Tours
ICA offers two formats to engage with the artwork on display, each designed to enhance the overall viewer experience.
Please note that we require at least two weeks advance notice in order to accommodate guided tour requests.
Exhibition Tour
Exhibition tours follow the traditional museum model where guests are led through the galleries by a docent who provides context for the exhibitions and the artwork. At the conclusion of a tour, guests have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the experience through a brief question and answer session facilitated by their guide. Exhibition tours are conducted primarily by Penn graduate students and professional staff. ICA Exhibition tours are generally 1-hour long.
To schedule an Exhibition Tour please complete this form.
Pennsight Tour
Pennsight is a new student-led initiative designed to enhance visual acuity through art. Pennsight tours are facilitated by undergraduate docents trained in Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS), an innovative approach to viewing art that encourages critical thinking, evidence-seeking, and empathetic communication through collaborative conversation. Acquiring its foundational structure from cognitive psychology and art education, VTS has been integral in advancing fields such as medicine, design, education, and business.
Pennsight tours are ideal for:
- Deepening your understanding of contemporary art in a supportive environment.
- Improving public speaking and active listening skills.
- Strengthening group dynamics.
- Enhancing your ability to consider possibilities that extend beyond the norm.
A 1-hour tour consists of three 15-minute viewing sessions, each devoted to a different work of art. Using the open-ended, inquiry-based VTS model, docents guide participants through unpacking the layered meanings of contemporary art, discovering their own connection with the work in the process.
During this pilot year, Pennsight tours will only be available to university student groups and classes. Professors and student leaders looking for a creative educational experience are encouraged to participate.
To schedule a Pennsight tour please complete this form.
Grade School Visitors
- Please bring chaperones for visitors under the age of 18.
- We recommend 1 adult for every 5–7 students.
- Teachers are encouraged to preview exhibitions prior to a tour.
Cost
- ICA tours are free to the Penn community and The School District of Philadelphia.
- For all other groups there is a $50 fee (waivers are available for certain groups).
Special Accommodations
ICA is committed to making our museum accessible to everyone.
If there are unique circumstances specific to your group, please let us know how we can assist.
To inquire about a fee waiver, special accommodations, or for general questions contact:
Liz Barr, Programs Coordinator
ebarr@ica.upenn.edu
215-898-5755
Pennsight is made possible by a generous grant from the Sachs Program for Arts Innovation.
Where to Stay
The Le Méridien Philadelphia, a boutique hotel located in Center City Philadelphia is ICA’s official Unlock Art partner hotel. Originally a YMCA, the hotel is housed in a 10-story Georgian revival-style structure with historical flair and is located in the heart of the city’s business district and less than one block from the Pennsylvania convention center.
Accessibility
ICA is committed to providing experiences that are accessible and inclusive for all visitors.
For information, or to notify our staff of any needs prior to your visit, please call the front desk during regular public hours at (215) 898-7108 or email us at hello@ica.upenn.edu.
Group Visits
Thinking of bringing your class, club, office or alumni group to ICA? If your group is ten persons or more you must fill out a Group Visit Form at least 24 hours in advance of your arrival at ICA.
Due to gallery size and security concerns admittance cannot be guaranteed without receiving your form 24 hours prior to your arrival. You can use this same form to schedule a guided tour.
Group Visits are available during regular ICA gallery hours.
Gallery Hours
Wednesday 11AM–8PM, Thursday through Sunday 11AM–6PM
Grade School Visitors
Please bring chaperones for visitors under the age of 18. We recommend 1 adult for every 5-7 students.
Plan a Group Visit
Liz Barr, Programs Coordinator
ebarr@ica.upenn.edu
215-898-5755
Sustainability
Learn about recycling and sustainability on Penn’s campus.