The Gwangju Biennale Foundation has announced an open call for the Artistic Director of the 17th Gwangju Biennale.
 
Until now, the Artistic Director of the Gwangju Biennale has been selected through a recommendation-based system, in which a final candidate was chosen from a pool of nominees put forward by a small group of advisors. As a result, the position has often been filled by internationally renowned figures invited through this process.
 
However, after three decades of history, the Gwangju Biennale now stands at a turning point that calls for new approaches and institutional change.
 
In response, the Foundation is transitioning from its recommendation-based appointment system to an open call process in order to establish a more democratic and transparent framework for selecting its Artistic Director while upholding the spirit of Gwangju and the pride of its 30-year history.
 
The change reflects a commitment to prioritizing curatorial vision, exhibition content, and organizational capability over the individual reputation of a prospective director.

The open call is open to exhibition professionals from Korea and abroad, regardless of nationality, gender, or age. Applications may be submitted by individual candidates or by teams of two or more co-artistic directors. Collaborative proposals involving both domestic and international professionals are also welcome.
 
The Foundation seeks innovative curatorial proposals that can artistically embody the spirit of Gwangju—grounded in democracy, peace, and human rights—while presenting new discourses and contributing to the advancement of contemporary art.
 
By fully opening the selection process, the Foundation aims to appoint the Artistic Director of the 17th Gwangju Biennale through a transparent and inclusive procedure and encourages active participation from qualified curators and exhibition makers around the world.
 
The open call for the Artistic Director, who will oversee the main exhibition of the 17th Gwangju Biennale scheduled for 2028, will run from June 8 to August 3, 2026.
 
Applicants are required to submit an application form, proposal, portfolio, and other required materials via email to gb17@gwangjubiennale.org. Detailed information regarding eligibility, application procedures, and submission requirements can be found on the official Gwangju Biennale website.

References

• 광주비엔날레 보도자료 (Gwangju Biennale Press Release)