[Asia Economy Reporter Donghyun Choi] The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on the 21st that it will implement a customized artwork purchase system for the Government Art Bank in collaboration with the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art's Government Art Bank.
The Government Art Bank is a system implemented since 2012 to professionally and systematically manage artworks owned by various government agencies and utilize them for the popularization of art culture. So far, it has purchased artworks through public contests and recommendations or selected artworks requiring special management among government-owned pieces through review, currently holding and managing a total of over 2,500 works. In addition, it performs tasks such as lending artworks, exhibitions, and restoration of damaged works.
The newly introduced customized artwork purchase system of the Government Art Bank aims to assist institutions wishing to acquire artworks by providing expert consultations that consider the institution's history, character, and characteristics to help with artwork exhibitions. Last year, as a pilot project, the demand of various government agencies was surveyed, and the first-floor lobby of the National Assembly Main Building was selected. Through a purchase review composed of experts on space and artworks, the final artwork was selected. As a result, considering the public nature of the National Assembly lobby, the work "Towards" by artist Kim Bohee, which balances popularity and artistic value, is easy for anyone to appreciate and gives a bright feeling with themes of ecology, nature, and landscape, was exhibited.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Government Art Bank plan to continue purchasing artworks and lending government-owned artworks to display dignified pieces in important national institution spaces symbolically used for diplomacy and receptions. In the first half of the year, they will survey demand for the customized artwork purchase system. Applications for artwork loans to decorate spaces are accepted at all times.
Meanwhile, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art has been operating a separate Art Bank since 2005 to promote the development of art culture and revitalize the domestic art market. Unlike the Government Art Bank, this Art Bank lends collections not only to national institutions but also to public institutions and non-profit organizations, and supports exhibitions for social contribution at non-profit events.
A Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism official stated, "While the Government Art Bank has purchased artworks to collect highly artistic pieces, this new system is characterized by actively reflecting the characteristics of national institutions, spaces, and the people who will enjoy the artworks," adding, "We will continue to strive to widely promote Korean art and enhance national prestige by utilizing government-owned artworks."
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