On August 18, the Korea Mecenat Association (Chairman Yoon Young-dal) and the Galleries Association of Korea (Chairman Sunghoon Lee) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to promote the development of the Korean art market through collaboration with businesses.
 
The agreement aims to expand opportunities for companies and their employees to engage with and enjoy art by leveraging the expertise and networks of the two organizations.
 
Beginning with Kiaf SEOUL 2026, the two organizations will encourage greater corporate support for the arts and raise public awareness of art, while working to establish a sustainable foundation for collaboration between businesses and the art community.
 
Going forward, the two organizations plan to pursue a range of initiatives, including ▲sharing information to promote corporate sponsorship of culture and the arts and corporate engagement in the art sector; ▲developing joint projects to foster the art market and corporate mecenat; and ▲collaborating on related promotional activities and content.

Yoon Young-dal, Chairman of the Korea Mecenat Association, said, “The art sector can achieve sustainable growth only when there are more opportunities for businesses and the art community to connect.
 
Through this agreement, we will expand opportunities for corporate interest and participation in the arts and strengthen our collaboration to broaden the foundation of the art market.”
 
Since 2021, the Korea Mecenat Association has connected promising artists with businesses through its “One Company, One Artist Support Program,” supporting partnerships between 10 companies and 14 artists to date.
 
It also operates corporate partnership programs that identify and support promising emerging artists and media artists.
 
Through this MOU, the Korea Mecenat Association plans to expand corporate sponsorship across the broader art market.

References

• 한국메세나협회 보도자료 (Korea Mecenat Association Press Release)