More than 25 artists and designers. Two years of intensive research and work. One immersive, boundary-pushing exhibit.

The VCUarts MFA Thesis Exhibition is now on view at the Institute of Contemporary Art and The Anderson. It’s dynamic, cutting-edge, and delightfully perplexing — and we highly recommend you make the trip.

Whether you’re a finely-tuned art connoisseur or simply appreciate conversation about the human experience, you’re sure to find something that piques your interest.

The exhibit spans three floors at the ICA. | Alex K. Bacon, Timeout, 2025, in progress installation view, 2025 VCUarts MFA Thesis Exhibition. (artwork © Alex K. Bacon; photograph by Ella Lowrey)

We visited the ICA on West Broad Street — RVA’s most space-station-like building — to get a firsthand look. One tip we’ll give you: not every HVAC system is what it seems.

Expect the unexpected

A few things you may encounter:

Experiments with sound, tech, texture, video, and more
Stacks of money — whether real or not is for you to find out
A computer room scene channeling the nostalgia of the early 2000s
A lengthy car manual that's not what it seems
Interactive virtual reality — a coveted opportunity to actually touch the art (and even become a part of it)

...and we've barely scratched the surface. Head to the ICA or The Anderson now through Sunday, May 11, to see the exhibit for yourself, totally free.

Art can be found from the floor to the ceiling — even around benches in the lobby. |
August Neuscheler, Scaled Sherd, 2025, in progress installation view, 2025 VCUarts MFA Thesis Exhibition.
(artwork © August Neuscheler; photograph by Ella Lowrey)

Gallery Hours:

ICA, 601 W. Broad St.
Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Anderson, 907 1/2 W. Franklin St.
Tuesday-Friday, 12-6 p.m. and Saturday, 12-5 p.m.