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The 3rd Emerging Artists Art Show, BUSAN, CONNECTED Open Call Announced by Busan Metropolitan City

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it is accepting applications through July 12 from artists wishing to participate in the 3rd Emerging Artists Art Show, BUSAN, CONNECTED (hereinafter referred to as the Emerging Artists Art Show).

The open call has been designed under the theme “BUSAN, CONNECTED” to support the creative activities of emerging artists, provide exhibition opportunities, foster their growth into accomplished artists, and expand professional networks.

The Emerging Artists Art Show is a project that introduces artists in the foundational arts who face challenges entering the art market, helping them establish a platform for artistic activity and develop new market opportunities.

Through the 2nd Emerging Artists Art Show held in 2025, Busan Metropolitan City selected Team LUMINEA (Kim Yu-young and Kim Yong-won) as the final winner. The team later presented an installation work in the “Spotlight” section of The Preview Art Fair (S Factory Building D, Seongsu-dong, April 24–26, 2026), successfully generating public and collector interest in the natural landscapes and scenery of Busan.

This year’s open call covers all fields of contemporary art, including painting, sculpture, photography, installation, media art, and crafts. Emerging artists born between 1984 and 2001 are eligible to apply. In addition to two-person team applications, individual applications will also be accepted this year.

For two-person team applications, at least one member must be an artist who was born in Busan, resides in Busan, or has ties to Busan while living elsewhere. For individual applications, preference will be given to artists with a connection to Busan.

Artists wishing to participate must submit an application form, portfolio, exhibition proposal, and other materials describing the exhibition concept and spatial planning through the online application form (Google Form) available on the official website at linktr.ee/busan_connected by July 12.

Additional details can be found on the official competition website at linktr.ee/busan_connected.

A total of 10 teams will be selected through an evaluation process based on criteria including experimentation and originality, market potential, curatorial planning, and genre expansion.

Selected teams will be provided with the opportunity to participate in the BUSAN, CONNECTED exhibition opening on October 16. They will also receive access to a gallery matching program, transportation support for artworks traveling from outside Busan, and a production support grant of KRW 1 million per artist.

A particularly notable feature of this year’s support program is the introduction of a “Gallery Partnership” initiative through a one-to-one gallery matching program.

Ten galleries that have actively supported the discovery of emerging artists will participate in the program. One selected team (two artists) or two selected individual artists will be matched with a gallery, which will provide support throughout the entire process of entering the art market, including exhibition planning, artist positioning, artwork pricing, and exhibition direction consulting.

In addition, one team selected through an on-site review during the exhibition period will be given priority access to exhibit in a special exhibition booth at The Preview Art Fair 2027, along with opportunities to participate in related business programs.

During the Emerging Artists Art Show exhibition period, Busan Metropolitan City will also operate a variety of programs that encourage interaction between artists and audiences, including special exhibitions, visitor participation programs, and collector invitation programs.

Cho Yu-jang, Director General of the Culture Bureau of Busan Metropolitan City, stated, “The Emerging Artists Art Show, BUSAN, CONNECTED has been a meaningful platform where artists have demonstrated limitless growth potential through solidarity and exchange. As we mark the third edition this year, we hope the program’s more practical and expanded support measures will create valuable opportunities for artists who face challenges entering today’s art market.”

He added, “We encourage talented artists to show great interest and actively participate.”