Seoul Museum of Art
In the areas of collection, preservation, governance, and sustainability, the Seoul Museum of Art established SeMA AA to collect, preserve, and utilize significant records of contemporary art. This project, which spanned approximately ten years from 2014 until the archive's opening in 2023, aimed to create a museum centered on the collection of contemporary art records. Under the vision of creating a "Collective Ground for knowledge production and collaboration, connecting art and society," this museum-creation project integrated the physical and content infrastructure into a comprehensive whole.
The SeMA AA established operational plans for comprehensively sharing and utilizing contemporary art records. To align with these plans, the creation of SeMA AA was promoted in two key layers: physical infrastructure and content infrastructure creation. The physical infrastructure project involved planning and constructing a space tailored to the archive's specialized content and complex operations, from architectural design and interior setup to furniture and facility installations. For content infrastructure, the project focused on the creation of collections, the development of informatization, and the preparation for program operation.
For collection, the four phases of art record collection, and the acquisition and development of library materials were conducted, resulting in the acquisition, registration, and preservation of approximately 62,000 items across 22 collections, along with the purchase of 4,500 books placed in open-access shelves. Additionally, the museum implemented an information initiative that was carried out annually, focusing on the systematic management of collection, registration, and service processes through an archive management system. This initiative also involved the development of a service system (now known as the Digital Art Archives) that provides diverse content and search capabilities for general users. Additionally, the initiative included digitization efforts and the creation of digital content to support these systems.
SeMA AA, which opened in April 2023, is the first of its kind in both domestic and international contexts, the Art Archives featuring independent facilities that include public service spaces such as exhibition and education areas. It was designed to function as a platform for collaboration and production. Under the values of commoning, creativity, and connectivity, it fulfilled its mission of sharing, collaboration, and connection. The sharing mission was realized through archive acquisition and its services, the creative collaboration mission through research and exhibitions, and the connectivity mission through the Digital Art Archives and learning and public programs. These efforts resulted in the creation of a sustainable platform that encompasses diverse practices and discourses centered around the archive, fostering new connections to create history, knowledge, creativity, and practice.
Explain in one sentence why you think the project you nominate is outstanding and could serve as an example for the entire community of modern and contemporary art museums.
In a society like South Korea, where the infrastructure for record-keeping is limited to public records such as the National Archives and societal awareness of record-keeping is relatively low, the establishment of SeMA AA as the first independent, archive-based contemporary art museum collecting and preserving private records in the domain of art and culture sets a significant precedent by expanding the social role of museums through art records, and introducing a new institutional model that integrates archives, libraries, and museums with an innovative operational model that organically connects collections and operations.
Explain why this practice or program is relevant and sustainable in creating meaningful and lasting connections with people, communities, and the museum context with a medium to long-term vision.
Seoul Museum of Art has established the SeMA AA based on the guiding principles that the continuous connection with contemporary practices through activation initiatives is essential for sustainability of archival projects─accumulating and preserving records. Under the mission of "sharing," SeMA AA continuously collects art records, library materials, and institutional records while enhancing access and fostering usage through the development of a digital archive and its related services. The mission of "collaboration" drives SeMA AA to engage in archive-based research and exhibitions that generate interdisciplinary cooperation, linking art to its social context and contributing to contemporary discourse and knowledge production. Under the mission of "connection," it offers learning and public programs aimed at a diverse and expanded user community while introducing new dimensions to the museum experience through participatory and collaboration-based online content, thereby advancing Korea’s record culture with various users.
Through these initiatives, Seoul Museum of Art is actively realizing its long-term vision, not only activating internal and external engagement but also strengthening the connection between art and contemporary society through its records, thereby creating a powerful platform for knowledge production and cooperation that extends beyond mere cultural consumption.