Information about ICP’s Move to Essex Crossing

ICP
Jun 24, 2019
Image by Saul Metnick
Image by Saul Metnick

In January 2020, the International Center of Photography will reunite its Museum and School to create an integrated center at 79 Essex Street on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

ICP’s new home spans a full city block between Ludlow Street and Essex Street. The closest subway stops are Essex-Delancey (J/Z/F/M) and Grand (B/D), both of which are just steps away.

With this move, ICP will become the cultural anchor of Essex Crossing and deepen our ties with the vibrant Lower East Side community. The neighborhood’s history as a center of immigration and documentary and creative work-making align with our goal to serve as a center for our community to explore photography and visual culture as mediums of empowerment and catalysts for social change.

In advance of this significant move, we have sold our former Museum space at 250 Bowery and have temporarily transitioned our educational programs and staff to the second floor of the Grace Building at 1114 Avenue of the Americas at 42nd Street, adjacent to our previous Midtown location. Call 212.857.0001 or email education@icp.edu to arrange a visit.

Note our archives remain at Mana Contemporary in Jersey City, NJ. The ICP-Bard MFA Studios (Long Island City, NY); and the ICP Community Partnerships (various locations throughout NYC) will also remain in their current locations. The Library will be temporarily closed until we open at Essex. In the meantime, a reference desk will be available at the Grace Building space.

For more information, sign up for ICP's weekly newsletter to receive the latest updates in your inbox or contact info@icp.org. Members of the media may contact Kelly Heisler, Senior Director, Marketing and Communications, at kheisler@icp.org.

Exhibitions

ICP is co-presenting National Geographic Photo Ark with the Southampton Arts Center June 27 through September 8 and Beckon Us From Home is on view at Mana Contemporary now through September 3.

Education Programs

Classes for our Continuing Education fall term—starting September 7, 2019—will be held on the second floor of the Grace Building at 1114 Avenue of the Americas, adjacent to our previous Midtown location. The space on the second floor of the Grace Building is approximately 24,000 square feet and will consist of classrooms, media labs, a shooting studio space, staff workspaces and a communal area. Course information can be found here.

Note the Education Office will be open to registered visitors. Please call 212.857.0001 to arrange an appointment and be sure to bring your ID to present at the Grace Building Visitor Center.

In fall 2019, Full-Time Programs and Continuing Education students can access the second floor of the Grace Building with a new ID badge. More information will be available once class registration is confirmed.

ICP’s Community Partnerships will continue to operate as usual throughout various locations in New York City through our opening at Essex Crossing.

The ICP-Bard MFA Studios will remain in Long Island City, New York.

Library

While ICP is located at our transition space in the Grace Building this summer and fall, the library will not be accessible. However, the library has a host of both digital and local resources ICP students can utilize until onsite holdings are available in our new space at Essex Crossing. A detailed guide of online resources is available here

Librarians will be available to ICP students in person or via email at library@icp.org.

The New York Public library is located just across the street from the Grace Building at 476 Fifth Avenue; librarians at ICP can assist students with registering for a NYPL card, and also put books on reserve in the NYPL collection either to check out or consult with onsite.

Several databases are available online with a New York Public library card. The list includes a key that lets you know if the database is available to all, at home with a library card, or in a specific library location.

As a member of Metro, the ICP library team can provide students with cards that grant access to other non-public libraries in the city. It can provide students with either one-time access to a single title, subject or a longer visit to university libraries and other participating Metro libraries.

Some of our archives are stored at Mana Contemporary and we can organize books to be transferred to Midtown in about four business days.

Public Programs

As ICP prepares for its move to the Lower East Side, most of this fall’s public programs will be held at Abrons Arts Center (466 Grand Street, New York, NY 10002). Our line-up includes Contested City, a talk by urbanist Gabrielle Bendiner-Viani on her recent book on the Seward Park Urban Renewal Area (SPURA); the return of our Optics series with panels on climate change and gentrification; and professor Ariella Azoulay in conversation with writer and photographer Teju Cole on her new book Potential History: Unlearning Imperialism.

Plus, join us on Saturday, October 5 for a meet and greet at Essex Market (88 Essex Street)—located across the street from our new location opening in January 2020—as part of the inaugural Open Arts LES.

Sign up for ICP’s weekly email newsletter to receive the latest programming news.

Space Rentals

We are no longer booking event rentals at 250 Bowery. Email events@icp.org to be among the first to receive information about rental options at Essex Crossing. We look forward to sharing more information soon.

Membership

There are still many membership benefits to enjoy before we open our new space, including events and discounts with partner organizations. Plus, ICP Members will be invited to our special VIP opening at Essex Crossing in January 2020! Join or renew today. Current members should contact 212.857.0003 or membership@icp.org to learn about their membership extension.

Mana Contemporary

ICP’s archives will remain at Mana Contemporary in Jersey City, NJ. The archives may be accessed by appointment only. Contact collections@icp.org for more information.