“A blank space.” That’s how the Santa Monica Art Museum began. It invited artists to define the modern art museum. The Santa Monica Art Museum or SMAM embraces the classic art model. It uses expectations to expand its potential.
SMAM was founded to rhyme with other Los Angeles art museums. Christoph Rahofer, the museum’s founder, invited Gretchen Andrew. Andrew is a fine artist. Rahofer asked her to create SMAM. It was to be a blank space for artists. They would define the modern art museum and its future. Rahofer discovered Andrew’s work and reached out to her. This marked SMAM’s intention to be an “artist” museum.
Andrew’s ideas were key in forming creative partnerships. These partnerships included Aubrie Wienholt. Wienholt is SMAM’s Co-Director and Curator. The partnerships also involved contemporary artists. They brought in other industry leaders.
What is an art museum anyway? It’s a question and an exhibition at SMAM. The museum opened as a blank space. Artists could use the space immediately. Over SMAM’s first month, regional artists shaped the museum. They exhibited work and held conversations. Rahofer and Andrew didn’t want to define SMAM alone. They wanted to give artists the chance to exhibit. They wanted to form a new art ecosystem.
This approach led to more creative partnerships. It brought in more exhibiting artists. SMAM made its press debut during Frieze Los Angeles. This was thanks to its museum programming and inaugural exhibition. It was called “Looking West”. “Looking West” featured diverse work. The artists were both emerging and established. They were all regional artists.
The Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles or ICA LA was once the Santa Monica Museum of Art. It was founded in 1984. Abby Sher founded it. It was part of the Edgemar mixed-use center. Frank Gehry designed Edgemar.
In 1988, Thomas Rhoads became the museum’s director. That summer, he mounted its first exhibition. It was called “Art in the Raw”. It was in the 8000 square foot Imperial Ice Company warehouse building. In 1997, SMMoA moved from Edgemar. It reopened in Bergamot Station Arts Center in 1998.
After a $5 million campaign, the museum moved to Downtown Los Angeles in 2017. wHY Architecture renovated the building. Kulapat Yantrasast led the renovation. The building is 12,700 square feet. It used to be a manufacturing building.
ICA LA supports art that sparks discovery. It challenges how we see the world. The museum is committed to upending hierarchies. These include race, class, gender, and culture. Through programs, ICA LA fosters critique. It also encourages empathy. Admission is free.
ICA LA’s logo was designed by artist Mark Bradford.
ICA LA is an epicenter of artistic experimentation. It is an incubator of new ideas. It illuminates untold stories and emerging voices.
It is amazing how the Santa Monica Museum of Art is so much more than just a building. It is a evolving space.