Exhibition
The Museum showcases a wide range of artifacts that help visitors understand Busan’s modern and contemporary history, from the opening of the port to the present day.
The Permanent Exhibition Hall is divided into two sections: the 1st one covers the period from the opening of the port to the Japanese colonial period, while the 2nd one focuses on the era from liberation to the democratization movement.
The Special Exhibition Hall presents at least two exhibitions annually, highlighting major events in modern and contemporary history as well as local heritage.
The Vault Art Museum, located in the former vault of the Bank of Korea Busan Headquarters, also hosts two exhibitions or more each year. It showcases artworks in various mediums such as painting, video, and installation that reflect the unique character of the original city center, while also supporting the development of local art by featuring emerging artists from Busan.
Running a multidisciplinary humanities and cultural space in the Annex Building
The Busan Modern & Contemporary History Museum Annex Building is a specialized library housing over 10,000 books and archival materials related to the Busan region, and hosts a variety of programs aimed at serving as a ‘multidisciplinary humanities and cultural space’.Alongside the Humanities Program, which uses lectures, discussions, and festivals to make humanities engaging for citizens, the Recording Program offers lectures and hands-on training to help people document their own stories. A monthly performance event takes place every fourth Saturday, providing a regular cultural gathering.There’s also a themed Excursion Program that lets citizens explore Busan’s modern history at local sites, encouraging a deeper connection to the city’s heritage.
Artifact Procurement, Donation, and Management
Artifact Procurement
The Museum annually acquires artifacts from the public annually to preserve items that reflect Busan’s identity and history, from the port’s opening up to the present day.
The activity supports the systematic preservation and use of cultural heritage by publicly acquiring materials of high historical and academic value from artifacts held by collectors (individuals, organizations, and others). Public acquisition activities are more than simple collecting; they create opportunities to share historical assets through civic engagement and act as a bridge for moving important heritage from private storage into the public record. The purchased artifacts are actively featured in exhibitions, including special exhibitions and educational programs, as historical materials that reflect Busan’s modern and contemporary history, playing a vital role in fostering communication with the local community.
Donation and Managementt
The Museum is dedicated to collecting and preserving a wide range of materials related to Busan’s history and culture. Donated items are carefully stored in secure storage facilities.
Currently, the majority of the Museum’s collection consists of donated materials, which are actively utilized in a variety of museum initiatives, including permanent and special exhibitions, academic research, publications, and educational programs.The Museum continues to focus on acquiring, preserving, and sharing modern and contemporary materials related to Busan, fulfilling its mission as a leading cultural institution in the region.
Collection of Archive Materials
The Museum gathers archival materials photographs, films, videos, and documents) that capture aspects of local history, personal narratives, industrial progress, and cultural developments from the modern and contemporary eras. The collected archival materials are accessible to the public and serve as valuable resources for research, exhibitions, education, and academic scholarship.
History Education
The Museum offers insights into Busan’s local and modern history and operates a variety of community education programs that help citizens actively engage with and appreciate culture. The Museum’s educational programs feature vacation-time activities, partnerships with elementary schools, youth career education, and public lectures on Busan’s modern history. Additionally, the Museum offers specialized programs tailored with unique themes and experiences to engage diverse audiences.
Book Publishing
The Museum publishes exhibition catalogs, academic research reports, and other materials that document major events in modern, contemporary, and local history.