The Ulsan Metropolitan City announced that it appointed art critic Lim Chang Sub as the new Director of the Ulsan Art Museum, effective July 1.
 
Lim brings a wealth of experience across both the public and private art sectors, having served as Secretary-General of the Galleries Association of Korea, Artistic Director of the Cheongju Craft Biennale, Head of the Preparatory Team for the opening of the National Asian Culture Center, and Head Curator at the Busan Museum of Art, among other key roles.
 
The city held an open recruitment process in line with the expiration of the former director’s term and selected Lim as the most suitable candidate to lead the Ulsan Art Museum, recognizing his extensive background in organizing and curating art exhibitions.
 
An official from the city stated, “Director Lim has previously worked on the establishment of the Ulsan Art Museum and has a deep understanding of both the field and the institution. He is the right person to elevate the museum into a future-oriented, interdisciplinary art institution as it enters its fourth year.”
 
The official added, “Beyond research, collection, and exhibitions of artworks, the new director is expected to strengthen communication with local citizens and artists, further solidifying the museum’s role as a cultural hub for the people of Ulsan.”

On July 16, newly appointed Director Lim Chang Sub shared his future plans and vision for the Ulsan Art Museum, emphasizing a diverse range of exhibitions and programming. He expressed his commitment to making the museum an accessible and natural part of citizens’ everyday lives by introducing hands-on content for children and families, creating connections with educational and tourism resources, and organizing seasonal exhibitions.
 
Acknowledging the museum’s existing identity as a media art–focused institution and the ongoing criticism regarding the accessibility of digital artworks, Lim stated, “Balanced programming that takes generational accessibility into account is essential.” He added, “Going forward, we will incorporate a wider variety of genres such as two-dimensional painting, while also improving how digital content is interpreted and presented.”

Regarding concerns about the lack of connection between the museum and Ulsan’s old downtown area, Director Lim stated that he plans to establish a cultural network in collaboration with the local commercial district. He also expressed his intention to activate outdoor spaces such as the lawn plaza and rooftop as art sites, allowing visitors to engage with art both inside and outside the museum.
 
In response to criticism that the museum’s curatorial planning capacity has weakened due to the long-standing vacancy of the Chief Curator position, Lim confirmed that the museum is currently considering the recruitment of a new Chief Curator in a positive light.

References

• 울산광역시 보도자료 (Ulsan Metropolitan City Press Release)
• 울산매일, "시민 일상에 스며든 '가보고 싶은 미술관' 만들겠다”, 2025.07.17