The ICA was established in 1947. Nowadays it consists of two galleries, two cinemas, a theatre, a bookshop, a bar and café and private function rooms.
Its programme covers visual and digital arts, music aswell as cinema, talks and educational events.

In summer 1968 the ICA put on the first large international exhibition of electronic, cybernetic, and computer art – called Cybernetic Serendipity. It included a variety of art forms like music, film, graphics and interactivity.