Organizer Information
The Open Call for Artistic Director of the 14th Seoul Mediacity Biennale is organized by the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA), one of South Korea’s leading public contemporary art institutions. Established to promote artistic innovation, public engagement, and international cultural exchange, SeMA has become a major platform for contemporary art discourse in Asia.
Since launching the first edition of the Seoul Mediacity Biennale in 1996 under the title SEOUL in MEDIA, SeMA has developed the Biennale into Korea’s only museum-hosted international biennial. Over nearly three decades, the Seoul Mediacity Biennale has explored the intersections of media, technology, urban transformation, and contemporary artistic practice. It has earned an international reputation for commissioning ambitious projects and presenting experimental perspectives on the social, political, and cultural implications of media within rapidly changing urban environments.
For its 14th edition, SeMA is seeking an Artistic Director with a strong curatorial vision capable of shaping the future direction of the Biennale while engaging critically with contemporary media culture and the unique context of Seoul.
Title & Description
Open Call for Artistic Director of the 14th Seoul Mediacity Biennale
The Seoul Museum of Art invites applications from experienced curators and curatorial teams worldwide for the role of Artistic Director of the 14th Seoul Mediacity Biennale (SMB14), scheduled to take place in 2027.
This prestigious international opportunity offers a leading curatorial professional the chance to conceptualize and direct one of Asia’s most significant contemporary art biennials. The selected Artistic Director will be responsible for developing the exhibition’s overarching theme, shaping its curatorial framework, selecting participating artists, overseeing exhibition production, and leading the public-facing vision of the Biennale.
The Seoul Mediacity Biennale has historically focused on the evolving relationship between contemporary art, media technologies, and urban life. For SMB14, SeMA seeks proposals that critically examine media and contemporary society while responding to Seoul’s cultural, historical, and metropolitan context. The institution encourages ambitious, research-driven, and forward-looking curatorial concepts that challenge conventional exhibition formats and propose innovative approaches to audience engagement.
The selected Artistic Director will collaborate closely with the Biennale team and SeMA staff throughout the planning and implementation process, helping to shape an international exhibition that reflects both local specificity and global relevance.
The Role Overview
- Position: Artistic Director (Individual or Curatorial Team)
- Contract Type: Project-based appointment with part-time engagement initially and the possibility of transitioning into a fuller commitment depending on project requirements.
- Reporting to: Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) and the Seoul Mediacity Biennale management structure.
- Position Duration: From appointment in 2026 through December 2027.
- Compensation:
- Individual Artistic Director: Approximately KRW 60 million.
- Curatorial Team: Approximately KRW 80 million.
- Project Budget: Approximately KRW 2.5 billion allocated for the Biennale project (based on the budget of the 13th edition).
- Biennale Dates: Tentative exhibition period: August 16 – November 14, 2027.
Position & Tasks
- Develop the curatorial concept and exhibition theme for SMB14.
- Design a comprehensive exhibition plan.
- Select participating artists and commissioned works.
- Oversee installation and presentation of artworks.
- Produce curatorial essays, exhibition texts, and related publications.
- Coordinate Biennale-related programs and public events.
- Collaborate with sponsors and support fundraising objectives.
- Contribute to public relations and communications strategies.
- Work closely with SeMA departments and Biennale staff.
- Monitor project implementation and budget management.
- Submit reports and documentation throughout the project lifecycle.
- Fulfill additional responsibilities requested by SeMA.
Categories
Applicants may be individuals or curatorial teams from anywhere in the world.
- Curatorial Practice
- Contemporary Art
- Media Art
- New Media Art
- Digital Art
- Interdisciplinary Art
- Public Programming
- Exhibition Making
- Art Management
- Cultural Research
- Arts Leadership
- International Biennial Projects
Eligibility
Candidates must demonstrate:
- Significant expertise in contemporary art.
- Experience within the last five years as a director or chief curator of a major international art project comparable in scale to a biennial.
- Strong international and domestic professional networks.
- Capacity to realize a large-scale international exhibition.
- Ability to manage communications and public-facing activities.
- Availability to spend sufficient time in Seoul throughout the project.
- Ability to work within SeMA’s institutional framework and operational systems.
- Commitment to human rights principles and non-discriminatory professional conduct.
Both Korean and international applicants are encouraged to apply.
Program Benefits
- Appointment as Artistic Director of one of Asia’s most respected biennials.
- Professional fee of approximately KRW 60–80 million.
- Opportunity to shape a major international contemporary art exhibition.
- Access to an extensive institutional and international network.
- Collaboration with the Seoul Museum of Art.
- Significant international visibility and professional recognition.
- Opportunity to work with a large-scale project budget.
- Platform to commission and present ambitious contemporary art projects.
- Opportunity to contribute to the future development of media art discourse globally.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Completed Application Form.
- Cover Letter (maximum 1,500 words).
- Exhibition Proposal.
- Consent for Collection and Use of Personal Information.
How to Apply?
Applicants should download the required forms and submit completed application materials via email to: apply@mediacityseoul.kr
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 15 July 2026
- First-Round Document Review: July 29 – August 19, 2026
- Shortlisted Candidates Announced: 21 August 2026
- Final Interviews: 27 August 2026
- Final Selection Announcement: 31 August 2026
Biennale Timeline
- Artistic Director Appointment: September 2026 (expected)
- Exhibition Period: August 16 – November 14, 2027
- Position Duration: Through December 2027
Location
Seoul, South Korea
Additional Details
- Applicants may not simultaneously apply to comparable biennial open calls during the application period (June 3–August 31, 2026).
- The recruitment process is confidential.
- Submitted application materials will not be returned.
- False or misleading information may result in disqualification.
- Consecutive Korean-English interpretation will be provided during interviews.
- Interview schedules and recruitment timelines may be adjusted by SeMA.
- The selected Artistic Director is expected to help define the evolving identity of the Seoul Mediacity Biennale while proposing innovative curatorial approaches that distinguish SMB14 from other international biennials.
- Proposals should demonstrate a deep understanding of media, contemporary society, and Seoul’s unique urban and cultural context.
- Curatorial concepts should be original and not previously realized through exhibitions or public programs elsewhere.