Accessibility at ICA Central in Balboa Park

The ICA welcomes all visitors and is dedicated to making art accessible to all in an inclusive and safe environment. Outlined below are some of the ways we make our facility accommodating. If you have questions or needs that are not addressed here, please contact accessibility@icasandiego.org for assistance. 

Parking

Accessible parking is available in the Alcazar Parking Lot located behind our building, The House of Charm. Locate one of the two ramps and access through the Alcazar garden. Go toward The Mingei entrance, turn left and then turn right into the arcade. The entrance is on the right.

Pickup/Dropoff

There is a passenger loading zone located in front of The Mingei, across from the fountain and the Tram stop.

Trams

Free Balboa Park trams are ADA accessible. Trams dropoff in the Plaza de Panama by the fountain. From there, cross the street and head west on El Prado (toward The Mingei) and turn left toward the arcade. Follow signs to the Institute of Contemporary Art San Diego (formerly San Diego Art Institute). The entrance is on the left.

Exhibition Entrance

ICA Central is wheelchair accessible from the front entrance and there is elevator access to the lower level gallery.

Service Animals

ICA complies with the ADA, which defines service animals as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability, and allows service dogs in all public areas of the ICA. Emotional Support Animals, Comfort Animals, or Therapy Animals that provide comfort do not qualify as service animals under the ADA and are not allowed inside. If the dog is barking excessively, not housebroken, or otherwise deemed out of control, the handler may be asked to remove the dog. ICA North has outdoor spaces for your pet.

Visual Access

Exhibitions offer large-print wall text introductions. Large print text of the gallery labels are available at the front desk in English and Spanish upon request.

Restroom

There is one gender neutral and accessible restroom on the lower level. Larger groups may want to visit the Alcazar Parking Lot bathrooms or the Visitor Center bathrooms which are located nearby.

Wheelchairs

The ICA has a limited number of wheelchairs for use by visitors on a first-come, first serve basis. Please request a wheelchair at the Front Desk located on the entry level. Visitors are welcome to bring their own wheelchairs. All public areas between the two levels of the ICA are accessible by elevator, including the ADA-compliant restroom.

Seating

The ICA has seating available in the gallery.

Children 

The gallery and facilities are stroller accessible. Visitors are asked to exercise caution when bringing strollers into galleries. Breastfeeding and bottlefeeding are permitted throughout the ICA. The restroom on the lower level has a changing table. We encourage children of all ages to visit the ICA; however, all children must be accompanied by an adult.

Sensory Access

Some exhibitions at ICA feature additional auditory elements. Ear defenders are available to borrow for the length of your visit at the Front Desk in adult and child sizes, free of charge. 

Sensory support bags containing fidgets and foam earplugs are available at the Front Desk.

For Immunocompromised Guests 

Visitors are welcome to wear masks in our galleries. Masks and hand sanitizer are available at the front desk for visitors and staff. 

For d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing Visitors 

ICA attempts to provide option captioning on all videos where possible. Transcripts of all video work are available in the exhibition in English, Spanish and large print. 

American Sign Language and Lengua de Señas Mexicana interpreters are available for tours, lectures, or other public programs with three weeks notice prior to the event. The ICA will make every effort to make ASL interpreters available at any time. Please contact education@icasandiego.org to request an interpreter. 

Additionally, Engagement Guides and Education Staff are happy to utilize personal speaker systems for tours and field trips to provide greater clarity for larger groups. Please ask when you arrive if you would like to use this service. 

Additional Information About Artworks On View 

Due to the changing nature of our exhibitions, some artwork may have extra auditory or visual elements. Please visit the current exhibition page for more information before your visit. 

Our accessibility efforts are an ongoing commitment. Please check back for updates as we expand and grow.