Poster Image of 2024 Open Contest for Art Bank & Government Art Bank Acquisition of Artworks ©MMCA
The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) is holding the 2024 open contest for Art Bank & Government Art Bank acquisition of artworks. Since their establishment in 2005 and 2012, respectively, the MMCA Art Bank and the Government Art Bank have been continuously discovering outstanding works by promising artists through art contests. This year’s contest will purchase artworks with a budget of approximately 1 billion KRW.
Eligible applicants are Korean nationals who have held at least two solo or group exhibitions in the last five years in specialized exhibition spaces such as national, public, and private art museums (including residencies) and domestic and international galleries. In addition, from this year, the Art Bank and the Government Art Bank will hold separate open contests for works of art with disabilities to collect works that can practice cultural diversity.
On the other hand, the Art Bank will start setting themes and periods for the contest from this year. Starting in 2024, the Art Bank will purchase works that are in line with the themes of humanity, community, and society, and that were created after 2013.
However, the competition to acquire works for the Government Art Bank will be held without a separate theme. Only works that meet the eligibility criteria will be selected by the jury, which is composed of experts in the art field, based on comprehensive consideration of project purpose, originality, artistry, and utility. Acquired artworks through the Art Bank open contest will be collected by the MMCA Art Bank, and artworks purchased in the Government Art Bank Competition will be held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
