The Busan Biennale Organizing Committee is pleased to announce the open call for the artistic director of the Sea Art Festival 2025.

The Sea Art Festival, which had its inaugural edition in 1987, is unique as it is presented in Busan along the beautiful scenery of the sea. Following its integration with the Busan Biennale, the festival has been held independently in odd years since 2011, while the Biennale is hosted every other year. The Sea Art Festival is an opportunity to reinterpret Busan and the sea as a source of inspiration and artistic space and make art more enjoyable for everyone. We seek the active participation of the curators who are ready to open a new chapter in the history of the Sea Art Festival.

Ahead of the upcoming Sea Art Festival 2025, we announce the open call for an artistic director who can create artistic value for Busan and lead future-oriented exhibitions. Applications are welcomed from experienced curators with innovative and creative thinking and a particular interest in contemporary art.

1. Project Overview

Goals of the exhibition

• Exploring the multidimensional meaning and symbolism of the sea in Busan and expanding the significance and value of the ocean.
• Showcasing the trends and achievements of contemporary art while attempting to expand art through new artistic experiments and exchanges.
• Expanding public engagement by diversifying participation paths, enhancing citizens’ artistic interaction and understanding, and promoting active interaction with the local community.

Name of the Exhibition: Sea Art Festival 2025
Exhibition Period: September 27 – November 2, 2025
Venue: Dadaepo Beach area (Saha-gu, Busan)
Scale: Up to 30 Korean and international artists (artists groups). Depending on the plan, the number of participating artists may vary.
Project Budget: Approx. KRW 800,000,000. Please note that the budget is subject to change. The above budget includes: honorarium for the artistic director and exhibition team members, artist fee, artwork production, installation expenses, travel expenses for artists and artistic director, exhibition operation expense and labor costs, public program expenses, general operating expenses, and miscellaneous expenses. The budget does not include PR/Marketing expenses.

2. Open Call Overview

Title of the position: Artistic Director of the Sea Art Festival 2025
Open call period: December 13, 2024 – January 9, 2025, 24:00, GMT+9, KST (28 days)
Number of position(s): One person or one team from a local or international background
Employment type: Non-full-time
Term: Contract date – December 2025

3. Requirements

• Someone who agrees with the direction of the Sea Art Festival 2025 and is capable of implementing a new exhibition based on an understanding of Busan and the Sea Art Festival.
• An understanding of and expertise in contemporary art and experience in a variety of exhibitions and/or curatorial work.
• Novel and experimental exhibition plan that can engage citizens and excellent exhibition and space planning.
• Contributions to the international networking of the Busan Biennale Organizing Committee.
• Capability to carry out smooth communication both internally and externally in accordance with the policy of the Committee.
• Visit to and stay in Korea (Busan) for a certain period to ensure the smooth operation of the exhibition (in the event of force majeure, including contagion, additional consultation will be made).

4. Major Roles and Responsibilities

Overall management of the exhibition:

• Setting the exhibition theme and developing exhibition plans.
• Exhibition budgeting, selection of the artists and artworks, and installation and management of the works.
• Developing and implementing public programs.
• Responsibilities related to PR and sponsorship.
• Any other duties of the artistic director specified in the contract.
• The exhibition will be carried out in collaboration with the exhibition team within the organizing committee.

5. Application Information

Open Call Schedule

Submission of application: December 13, 2024 – January 9, 2025, 24:00, GMT+9, KST (28 days). Any submissions made after 24:00 will be excluded from the evaluation process.

Announcement of shortlisted candidates for interviews: January 20, 2025 (Mon).

Announcement of final selection: February 2025.

Required Document

Attached application form (including Consent to the Collection and Use of Personal Information).

How to Submit

Please submit the completed form via email at [email protected].

[Email subject line and attached file name shall include the applicant’s name.]

How to Fill Out the Application

Please refer to the instructions on the designated form.

Additional materials other than the required documents listed above will not be reviewed or considered.

Selection Procedures

• Application Review: January 10 – January 17, 2025.
• Announcement of shortlisted candidates for interview: January 20, 2025 (Mon).
• Interview: January 24, 2025 (Fri).
• The interview will be conducted in Korean or English. (Consecutive interpretation from English to Korean, and vice versa, will be provided.)
• The date is subject to change under certain circumstances.

6. Notes

• Successful applicants will be notified via email.
• The selected applicants are required to take an online interview on the date designated by the committee.
• Applicants will be solely responsible for any consequences arising from non-compliance with the requirements, incorrect information, or omissions.
• Applicants who provide false information may be excluded from the application process.
• Please submit the application in MS Word format (*.doc, *.docx).

7. Inquiries

For further inquiries, please refer to the website (http://busanbiennale.org) or email [email protected].