Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston

Occupying a striking cantilevered building on the South Boston waterfront, this museum focuses on the art of the present day. Its glass-walled galleries and a media room hovering above the harbor were designed by Diller Scofidio and Renfro and opened in 2006. The collection and rotating exhibitions cover painting, photography, video, and installation by living artists, with a theater hosting performances and talks. A grand cascading staircase and a mediatheque angled toward the water make the architecture itself part of the experience.