Museums and galleries have long been perceived as static spaces. They were often seen as places of quiet contemplation, where artifacts were observed in silence, or as academic sanctuaries accessible only to those with specialized knowledge. In recent years, however, museums have undergone a dramatic transformation.
At the center of this shift is “Museum Week,” officially known as Museum and Gallery Week, which fills the country with cultural energy every May. While last year’s edition focused on regional revitalization, this year’s program aims to deepen its substance and integrate more closely into everyday life.
◇ 1.33 Million Visitors in a Single Month Last Year
Last year’s Museum Week, held under the theme “Rapidly Changing Communities and the Future of Museums,” brought together 361 institutions nationwide and attracted 1,330,261 visitors over the course of a month. The open-call program “Museum × Enjoy” operated 26 programs across 31 institutions, drawing approximately 360,000 participants. Meanwhile, the regional exploration program “Museum × Walk” achieved a satisfaction rate of 94.88 percent, reinforcing the role of museums as drivers of cultural tourism.
Museums are no longer just places that preserve the past; they are evolving into hubs where contemporary concerns are shared and discussed. This year’s theme, “Museums Connecting a Divided World,” reflects that shift. While last year explored the future role of museums, this year’s focus signals a more active ambition: positioning museums as mediators of social cohesion amid growing divides across generations, classes, and regions. Key programs such as “Museum × Enjoy,” “Museum × Walk,” and “Museum × Meet” are designed to expand points of contact with the public in everyday settings.
◇ From Destinations to Routes: The Rise of “Local Museum Travel”
The core programs reveal a clear transition from quantitative growth to qualitative refinement. “Museum × Enjoy,” which supports experimental exhibitions, has been streamlined from 31 institutions last year to 18 institutions running 16 programs this year.
An official from the Korea Museum Association explained, “The adjustment in the number of participating institutions reflects a strategic decision aimed at improving operational efficiency and enhancing content quality amid budget reductions. While maintaining the richness of exhibitions, we have optimized participation by focusing on institutions with strong capabilities.”
If last year’s “Museum × Enjoy” functioned as a testing ground for experimental approaches, this year strengthens the museum’s core functions of research and interpretation. Exhibitions and educational programs will emphasize storytelling that translates complex artifacts into accessible narratives for the public. The association added that new initiatives, including children’s museums and puppet theater festivals, are being introduced this year.
The regional exploration program “Museum × Walk,” which previously operated across six regions, will now focus on four key hubs: Seoul, Gongju, Gyeongju, and Jeju. This year, it goes beyond simple museum visits, evolving into “local museum travel” that connects cultural landmarks across regions.
Popular institutions such as the Korea Furniture Museum and Supungseok Museum have been newly included. In Gongju and Gyeongju, expert-led guided tours will provide in-depth historical context and behind-the-scenes stories. This approach reflects a strategic shift from viewing museums as isolated points to linking them into broader cultural networks, with the added goal of boosting regional tourism.
“Museum × Meet,” a program designed to identify and share outstanding collections from museums nationwide, also advances this year. After selecting 50 representative artifacts from 50 institutions under the theme “The First, and the Beginning” last year, the program now expands to include lectures and interactive experiences centered on selected collections. Visitors will be able to engage with the historical and cultural significance of artifacts in a more immersive way.
Museums are increasingly evolving into spaces of connection. This year’s Museum Week represents a deliberate effort to deepen those connections, extending beyond artifacts themselves to encompass the histories, cultures, and communities that surround them. That, perhaps, is the most enduring legacy museums have to offer.
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
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