The entrance to the 15th Gwangju Biennale. Photo: Bryan Barcena.
Gwangju Biennale Launches International Open Call for Artistic Director of its 17th Edition
The Gwangju Biennale Foundation has announced an international open call for the Artistic Director of the 17th Gwangju Biennale, this is a unique opportunity to contribute to one of Asia’s most historically relevant art biennials.
For the first time in its thirty-year history, Gwangju Biennale opens up the process of selecting its Artistic Director through an open call in order to render the selection more transparent and inclusive. The initiative reflects the Biennale’s commitment to broadening participation and appealing to new networks of professionals. The comittment to a sound selection process and the experience in delivering exhibitions at the highest level will assure that the attention to curatorial vision, professional experience and inclusive environment are maintained.
The Gwangju Biennale Foundation describes this transition as a way of honoring Gwangju’s legacy while reinforcing the values that have shaped the Biennale since its founding. Rooted in the city’s history of democracy, peace, and human rights, the new process seeks to attract innovative proposals capable of responding to contemporary artistic and social questions while remaining grounded in the spirit of Gwangju.
The open call welcomes exhibition professionals and curators from around the world, regardless of nationality, gender, or age. Applications may be submitted by individual curators or by collaborative teams of two or more co-artistic directors, with proposals bringing together Korean and international practitioners particularly encouraged.
The selected Artistic Director will be responsible for developing and curating the main exhibition of the 17th Gwangju Biennale, which will take place in 2028.
Applications are open from June 8 until August 3, 2026. Candidates are required to submit an application form, exhibition proposal, and portfolio by email. Following the submission deadline, applications will undergo a document review in August, with shortlisted candidates invited to present their proposals and participate in interviews during September. The successful Artistic Director or curatorial team is expected to be announced in October 2026.
Here again, schematically the description of the process as well as requirements:
1. Exhibition Information
<17th Gwangju Biennale>
- Exhibition Period: September 2028 (tentative)
- Venues: Gwangju Biennale Exhibition Hall and selected sites throughout Gwangju (subject to curatorial planning)
- Organized by: Gwangju Biennale Foundation and Gwangju Metropolitan City
2. Open Call Overview
- Application Period: Monday, June 8, 2026 18:00 (KST) – Monday, August 3, 2026, by 18:00 (KST)
- Number of Openings: 1 Individual or Team (Open to both Korean and international curators)
- Employment Type: Commissioned, non-resident (Full-time residency may be required as the event progresses)
- Contract Period: From the date of contract to December 2028
- How to Apply: Complete the required application forms (attached) and submit them via email to gb17@gwangjubiennale.org.
- Note: Applications received after the deadline will be strictly excluded from the evaluation process.
3. Qualifications and Selection Criteria
- A visionary and action-oriented leader capable of accumulating and expanding the region’s cultural assets based on the pride and identity of Gwangju, while fostering future generations of local artistic directors.
- An expert who can redefine the Biennale’s role in advancing contemporary art and take the lead in identifying and addressing key issues in today’s art world.
- A strategist who can strengthen the unique brand value and international standing of the Gwangju Biennale, deeply rooted in the identity of the city and the institution.
- A proactive innovator who can actively drive practical and transformative solutions for major institutional agendas, including the publicity and marketing of the Gwangju Biennale.
- A cultural practitioner who can balance artistic value with public and cultural value, while expanding communication and engagement with a global audience.
4. Required Application Materials
Applicants must submit the following documents in English:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Statement of Intent / Personal Statement
- Portfolio of Curatorial and Professional Activities
- Preliminary Exhibition / Curatorial Proposal for the 17th Gwangju Biennale
- Two Letters of Recommendation
Further information, application guidelines, and submission requirements are available on the Gwangju Biennale website.
