Special Admission Discounts and Rail Tour Packages for the "Korea Art Festival"
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on September 1 that, together with the Arts Management Support Center, it will host the "2025 Korea Art Festival" until September 30.
This festival, which showcases the current state of Korean art and fosters exchanges with the global art community, features participation from major domestic biennales, art fairs, and art institutions. Now in its second year, the festival has strengthened collaborations with a variety of art events, including seven biennales (Seoul Mediacity Biennale, Cheongju Craft Biennale, Sea Art Festival, Daegu Photo Biennale, Gwangju Design Biennale, Jeonnam International Ink Biennale, World Calligraphy Jeonbuk Biennale) and three art fairs (Kiaf Seoul, Frieze Seoul, Asiaf).
Special Admission Discounts and Rail Tour Packages for the "Korea Art Festival"
To commemorate the "Korea Art Festival," the Ministry is offering special discounts on admission tickets. Since June 16, tickets for major events such as "Kiaf Seoul and Frieze Seoul" and the "Jeonnam International Ink Biennale" have been sold at up to 50% off the regular price. The "Cheongju Craft Biennale" tickets sold out in half a day, and the Kiaf-Frieze tickets sold out in two days, followed by sellouts for the "Gwangju Design Biennale" and "Asiaf" tickets as well. Even if the special discount tickets are sold out, visitors can still purchase tickets at a reduced price using exhibition discount coupons promoted by the Ministry. For detailed information on ticket purchases, please contact each ticketing outlet.
The Korea Railroad Corporation has also prepared rail tour packages for the "Korea Art Festival." Packages that combine admission tickets for the "Cheongju Craft Biennale," "Gwangju Design Biennale," and "Jeonnam International Ink Biennale" with train tickets are available on the Let’s Korail website and the Korail Talk app. By using these rail tour packages, visitors can enjoy discounted biennale admission and receive 5% to 40% off train tickets depending on the time slot.
Diverse Programs Including "Art Tours" and "Must-See Exhibitions"
The "Art Tour" program, which allows participants to explore local museums and tourist attractions with professional guides, is also available on the "Korea Art Festival" website. Across five regions nationwide (Gyeonggi-Gangwon, Chungcheong, Jeolla, Gyeongsang, Jeju), local cultural foundations and private organizations have prepared 14 itineraries that combine art appreciation and sightseeing. In addition to exhibition viewing, there will be artist talks, studio visits, hands-on activities, and special courses for foreign residents in Korea and socially vulnerable groups to ensure everyone can enjoy the art festival.
This year, a new "Must-See Exhibitions" section, curated by editors and journalists from leading Korean art magazines, will more actively introduce Korean art exhibitions. Across the country, special exhibitions for emerging artists will be held in conjunction with regional biennales. In Seoul, visitors can enjoy exhibitions by the next generation of Korean artists, including at Bukchon Hwigyeomjae, "ForeFesta," and "Offsite 2: Eleven Episodes." Related information can be found on the "Korea Art Festival" website.
Additionally, to promote Korean art internationally, the festival will feature "Dive into Korean Art: Seoul." Key figures from the global art scene will be invited to Korean artists' studios for lectures and networking opportunities. Exhibition spaces will be expanded to major international airports (Incheon, Gimpo, Gimhae), allowing inbound tourists to experience a variety of Korean artworks, including media art and sculpture.
The Ministry is promoting the art festival through various channels and spaces, including the official website, social media, government and municipal outdoor billboards, street banners, airports, and train stations. Information is also being shared with foreigners both online and offline through overseas Korean Cultural Centers and Korea Tourism Organization branches. The festival is being featured in Korea's leading art magazines such as "Monthly Art," "Public Art," and "Art in Culture," as well as in the "KTX Magazine." Festival guides are being distributed at "Kiaf Seoul," "Frieze Seoul," major train stations, and the Korea tourism promotion and experience center "HiKR Ground."
Minister Choi Hwi-young stated, "The 'Korea Art Festival' will be more than just a venue for exhibitions; it will serve as a dynamic starting point for Korean art to connect with the public and communicate with the world. We will provide more opportunities for the public to encounter outstanding works and for artists to create and present their art on a larger stage, thereby strengthening the foundation of the art ecosystem."
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