The implementation of stay-home orders back in March closing museum doors has financially impacted Grand Rapids’ U.I.C.A. The Urban Institute for Contemporary Art moved into its 2 Fulton West space in 2011 in the heart of Downtown Grand Rapids. There, four floors of studios and a state-of-the-art movie theater presented contemporary art and design and new media.
In 2013 in merged with Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University.
The COVID-19 pandemic prevented in-person programming for a period of time that was financially unsustainable.
U.I.C.A. Executive Director, Miranda Krajniak says, “We, along with many of the downtown businesses, have struggled financially the past few months and after reviewing our situation we have decided to leave our lovely building. The reality is that the strain of maintaining our current facility is too much.”
The Ferris Board of Trustees finalized the decision Wednesday putting the 2 Fulton West building up for sale.
U.I.C.A. will move its programming into the former Grand Rapids Art Museum at 17 Pearl Street.
U.I.C.A.’s programming will remain on hiatus until the move in Spring 2021.
I’m Patrick Center.