You are bidding on 4 passes to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and 4 passes to the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston.

For up to date information about exhibitions, performances and programs, visit www.icaboston.org or www.mfa.org

The original MFA opened its doors to the public on July 4, 1876, the nation's centennial. Built in Copley Square, the MFA was then home to 5,600 works of art. Over the next several years, the collection and number of visitors grew exponentially, and in 1909 the Museum moved to its current home on Huntington Avenue.

Today the MFA is one of the most comprehensive art museums in the world; the collection encompasses nearly 450,000 works of art. We welcome more than one million visitors each year to experience art from ancient Egyptian to contemporary, special exhibitions, and innovative educational programs.

November 2010 marks the opening of The New MFA. Designed by the world-renowned Foster and Partners architects, The New MFA comprises a new wing for Art of the Americas; renovated art of Europe galleries; improved conservation and education facilities;The Linde Family Wing devoted entirely to contemporary art; and a new, larger public space—the Ruth and Carl J. Shapiro Family Courtyard.

About the ICA
Mission, History and Programming

MISSION
The Institute of Contemporary Art strives to share the pleasures of reflection, inspiration, provocation, and imagination that contemporary art offers through public access to art, artists, and the creative process.

The primary activities of the ICA are threefold:

• To present outstanding contemporary art in all media, including visual art
   exhibitions, music, film, video and performance, that is deserving of public
   attention and has not been presented in depth to Boston audiences
• To provide innovative experiential learning opportunities for people of all ages
   through direct encounters with artists and art making
• To design interpretative programs that provide context, develop appreciation,
   and add meaning to contemporary art and culture

HISTORY
Founded in 1936 as The Boston Museum of Modern Art, the museum was conceived as a laboratory where innovative approaches to art could be championed... More

PROGRAMMING

Exhibitions
The ICA aims to present the most significant national and international contemporary art to Boston audiences. Our multi-faceted exhibition program includes the Momentum series, focusing on the work of emerging artists; the Sandra and Gerald Fineberg Art Wall, an annual, site-specific commission in the museum lobby; the James and Audrey Foster Prize, a biennial exhibition and award for Boston-area artists; and selections from our burgeoning permanent collection. The West Gallery, our largest exhibition space, has featured critically acclaimed solo and group exhibitions, including Super Vision (2006), Philip-Lorca diCorcia (2007), Anish Kapoor: Past, Present, Future (2008), and most recently Tara Donovan (2008).

Performance
The Barbara Lee Family Foundation Theater is the place to see some of the most talented, thought-provoking, and creative performing artists working today. On over 80 nights a year, audiences can see storytellers, choreographers, composers, media artists and musicians from around the world. Patti Smith, Mark Morris, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, Bebe Miller, Sara Rudner, and John Zorn are just a few of the remarkable performers presented at the ICA in our first two years. Each summer, our free concert series presents top musicians from Berklee College of Music in an unparalleled waterfront setting on Hassenfeld Harborway.  

Film and Video
ICA Film and Video presents an adventurous selection of the best of regional, national and international cinema, experimental and independent film, video, and digital media.  In addition to programming works inspired by the museum's acclaimed exhibitions, the ICA collaborates and co-presents with several major film festivals, and presents retrospectives by important contemporary artists. The ICA has presented world, U.S., and local premieres, including sneak previews of highly anticipated films, and conversations with filmmakers, film scholars, and critics.

Adult Programs
Our adult programs offer opportunities to contemplate contemporary culture through varied perspectives by engaging dynamic speakers from a range of disciplines—connecting chefs with scholars or artists with scientists, for example. Speaking independently or in conversation, presenters urge audiences towards new and innovative thinking about our culture. A wide range of series, including artist talks, poetry readings, and a partnership with the AIGA, stimulates active and vibrant encounters between people, art, and ideas. In addition, in-depth adult courses feature lectures, discussion, and gallery visits to encourage thoughtful dialogue about contemporary art.

Family Programs
The ICA's programs are designed to stimulate innovation and creativity for the whole family. Our monthly Play Dates program is based on the ICA's collection and exhibitions and activates the entire museum with hands-on activities, gallery tours, films, performances, and sketching-all designed to inspire children and adults as they explore the art on view. In addition, local artists lead activities for all ages in our Bank of America Art Lab, while our family guide, Our Building, encourages understanding of the unique architectural features of the museum and is available free at the admissions desk.