Exterior view of ARKO Art Studio ©Arts Council Korea
On June 24th, Arts Council Korea
(hereinafter ARKO) held the opening ceremony of the international residency
platform, ARKO Art Studio.
ARKO Art Studio was planned to strengthen
Korea’s role as a hub for global artistic creation and cultural exchange, and
to expand the influence of K-Art in the international visual arts field. It is
an inbound residency program directly operated by ARKO.
Prior to this, ARKO conducted an open call
targeting the domestic and international art communities to recruit resident
artists for the 2025 ARKO Art Studio program. As a result, many talented
artists from around the world applied, and after a fair evaluation by a panel
of experts specializing in visual arts residencies, a final selection of 10
artists was made.
Photo from the Opening Ceremony of ARKO Art Studio ©Arts Council Korea
To promote the sustainable development of
both domestic and international art ecosystems and to expand engagement with
the contemporary art scene, ARKO selected artists not only from Korea but also
from diverse regions including Asia, Europe, and Africa. By reflecting
geographical and cultural diversity, ARKO has further strengthened the
foundation for international exchange through the ARKO Art Studio.
In addition, to distinguish the program
from other inbound residency initiatives currently operating in Korea, ARKO
appointed Nathalie Shin as the General Director. Under her leadership, the
residency will combine artist-driven creation with a curator-centered program,
led by domestic curators.
The selected artists will engage in diverse
programs such as cultural field trips, project seminars, mentoring, open
studios, networking events, and art fairs, culminating in a final exhibition at
the ARKO Art Center. In addition to these opportunities, the artists will be
provided with practical support such as individual studio spaces, production
funding, accommodation, and airfare.
