An event marking the 10th anniversary of the Small Art Museum Creation and Operation Support Project was held on March 5 at the Artists House in Daehangno, Seoul. Hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Arts Council Korea (ARKO), the event reflected on the project’s achievements over the past decade and presented awards to outstanding examples that contributed to revitalizing local culture.
The Small Art Museum initiative began in 2015 with the goal of transforming unused public spaces in areas without museums into cultural venues, providing residents with opportunities to experience visual arts. Currently, 38 small art museums operate across 34 cities and counties nationwide. Over the past decade, they have hosted a total of 1,291 exhibitions, attracting approximately 570,000 visitors and involving 2,907 artists. Beyond exhibitions, the museums have established themselves as everyday cultural platforms where local artists and residents connect.
■Focus on spatial regeneration and regional collaboration
Among organizations recognized for outstanding operation, the grand prize was awarded to Gimpo Small Art Museum “Bogugot.” The space, created by remodeling a civil defense shelter, has consistently hosted exhibitions and educational programs for ten years in collaboration with both military units and local residents, reflecting the unique characteristics of a border region.
In the category of regional resource utilization, the Sacheon Small Art Museum in Gyeongsangnam-do, located between the Sacheon sea and Samcheonpo Bridge Park, received recognition. In the regional governance collaboration category, Incheon Baedari Itta Space Small Art Museum, a cultural space regenerated from an old inn building, was also awarded. Both museums stood out for creatively utilizing local history and spatial resources to encourage community participation.
In the category of operational sustainability, the Naju Small Art Museum, converted from a former rice mill, was selected. Through programs connected with nearby performance venues and cafés, the museum has become a daily cultural hub frequently visited by local residents, demonstrating a sustainable operational model.
In the individual category, several figures who contributed to activating the project through program planning and management were honored. Director Kim Hyun-joo of the Angye Small Art Museum and Chairman Lee Myung-gyu of the Naju Small Art Museum received awards for operational contributions, while curator Kim Shin-ae of Samcheok Small Art Museum AND won the Outstanding Planner Award. Their efforts were recognized for expanding the intersection between local communities and art while strengthening the professionalism of cultural programming.
■Transforming idle spaces into everyday art environments
The Small Art Museum project has contributed to creating artistic environments in daily life by assigning cultural value to diverse spaces, including the “Jecheon 175 Small Art Museum” located in an underground traditional market and the “Sejong BRT Small Art Museum” situated within a transportation hub. Utilizing idle spaces as region-specific cultural bases, the initiative is regarded as a model case of public cultural policy.
Over the past decade, the Small Art Museum project has left a meaningful legacy by simultaneously revitalizing local art ecosystems and expanding community participation in culture.
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
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