Institute of Contemporary Art, San Diego faces financial and leadership crisis

The Institute of Contemporary Art, San Diego (ICA) laid off eight staff members—nearly half its workforce—between 29 July and 16 August, citing an ongoing financial crisis; the cuts included the museum’s only curator and its director of learning and engagement, and the director of operations resigned on 29 July. The ICA’s main campus in Balboa Park has closed to the public, while its Encinitas satellite remains open for art classes and the outdoor Sculpture Trail remains accessible. On 19 August, current and former staff sent the ICA board a letter of no confidence calling for the removal of director Andrew Utt, citing analysis of 2022–2024 tax documents and alleging unpaid bills, bounced checks, late payments, and inability to meet payroll. The turmoil led to the early shutdown of the exhibition “Cat Gunn: if only by the light of a new moon,” originally scheduled to close 13 September, and the artist said a promised $500 monthly stipend for January–December 2025 was paid late, delaying the residency until July 2025.

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