SEOUL - South Korea is set to unify several of its major art festivals and fairs under a new initiative called the "Korea art festival," scheduled to launch this autumn. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced the collaborative effort with the cities of Gwangju, Busan, and Seoul to enhance the visibility and accessibility of Korean art on a global scale.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the inaugural festival in September will link the schedules and programs of existing art events, including the Gwangju and Busan biennales, as well as Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul, which are among the nation’s largest art fairs. This alignment aims to attract more international visitors by providing a cohesive experience of the country's rich art scene. The Gwangju Biennale will run from September 7 to December 1, the Busan Biennale from September 17 to October 20, and Seoul Art Week, featuring Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul, from September 2 to 8.
The initiative marks an evolution from previous government efforts, which included Korea Art Week, a campaign that offered promotional support and visitor discounts. The new festival strategy includes closer collaboration with various cultural institutions and aligns event dates to create a streamlined art season from September through November.
During a joint declaration ceremony in Seoul, Culture Minister Yu In-chon, alongside Mayors Kang Gi-jung of Gwangju and Park Heong-joon of Busan, and Kim Sang-han, acting first administrative deputy mayor of Seoul, committed to enhancing the international stature of Korean art. Minister Yu emphasized the festival's role in promoting Korean culture, announcing plans to work with the Korea Tourism Organization, Korea Airports Corp., and Korail to facilitate easy travel between the cities hosting the events.
Furthermore, the festival will introduce a unified ticketing system for the biennales and new tourism packages that include bullet train tickets and event admissions. Art museums and galleries across the country will also participate, offering discounts or free entry to certain exhibitions for biennale ticket holders.
The success of this inaugural event will determine whether the Korea art festival becomes a regular fixture on the cultural calendar, as stated by Minister Yu.