The Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami, is dramatically expanding with the $25 million purchase of the exhibition space formerly occupied by the Carlos and Rosa de la Cruz Collection. The building is next door to the ICA’s facility in the Design District. The expansion coincides with the institution’s 10th anniversary. 

The acquisition will afford ICA some 30,000 square feet of space, doubling its exhibition facilities. The money comes entirely from private funds, including from the institution’s board as well as many other private area funders and a $5 million grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. 

Rosa and Carlos de la Cruz had displayed their extensive collection of contemporary art there since 2009. The collection was a must-see for visitors, especially during the December art fair season, during which the family typically hosted large events. Rosa de la Cruz died in February at 81; Artnet News broke the story the following month that their holdings would head to auction at Christie’s, and speculated that the facility could become part of the ICA.

“This expansion grew organically out of the demand for our programs and was supported by great enthusiasm from the board,” said creative director Alex Gartenfeld over the phone. “There was a longstanding articulated need for space for the permanent collection, special exhibitions, and public programs and education programs. There was a pent-up demand.” 

ICA Miami artistic director Alex Gartenfeld. Photo Rose Marie Cromwell, courtesy ICA Miami.

Many donors, he said, had previously backed campaigns to support operations and the museum’s endowment, while many were new donors. A press release lists about two dozen participants, from Micky Beyer to Allan Yarkin. Miami real estate developer Craig Robins is providing in-kind support, purchasing a neighboring parking lot that was part of the facility.

“It really spoke to people that we could buy this building and preserve it as an important space, where generations have learned about contemporary art,” said Gartenfeld. It also didn’t hurt that it was already serving as an exhibition space and would not have to be completely retrofitted, he pointed out, though there will be some renovations. The fundraising campaign to support that and continuing operating costs is ongoing.

The collection, which spans some 1,100 works at present and continues to expand, is already in the spotlight, as it happens, in the current exhibition “Toward the Celestial: ICA Miami’s Collection at 10 Years” (on view through October 27). Among the more notable figures included are Louise Bourgeois, George Condo, Dan Flavin, Ragnar Kjartansson, Daniel Lind Ramos, Nicolas Party, and Betye Saar.

Interior of the former De la Cruz Collection facility, now part of ICA Miami. Photo: Rose Marie Cromwell, courtesy ICA Miami.

“I think we have one of the most dynamic collections of contemporary art in the country,” said Gartenfeld. “We’re very active in our support for emerging, under-recognized, and established artists. It’s a global collection, its earliest works dating as far back as 1957 but of course continuing on to 2024. It’s a collection that spans media and disciplines, capturing global conversations but rooted in Miami as well.”

While Rosa de la Cruz passed away only in February, Gartenfeld pointed out, that was hardly the beginning of the planning for ICA’s expansion.

“This has been years in the making,” he said, “and the plans became far more firm following Rosa’s passing, which was a huge loss for our community. I think the family felt it was right to pass the torch.”