Busan Signs MOU for Establishment of the Centre Pompidou Busan
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Busan Signs MOU for Establishment of the Centre Pompidou Busan
□ On September 9th, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. at the International Conference Room in Busan City Hall, Busan Metropolitan City established an MOU with the Centre Pompidou of France, regarding the Centre Pompidou Busan initiative.
○ The signing ceremony was held virtually, with Mayor Park Heong-joon and Centre Pompidou President Laurent Le Bon in attendance.
□ In January 2022, Mayor Park and President Le Bon agreed in principle to create a new satellite branch of the Centre Pompidou in Busan. The MOU was finally concluded two years and six months after an initial agreement.
○ Expected to be the core part of Igidae Art Park, which is currently undergoing renovations, the Centre Pompidou Busan will be nestled at Harmony Madang. With a floor area of 15,000 square meters, it will house galleries, studios, auditoriums, classrooms, and storage.
○ The design of the museum, to be determined through an international contest, is a source of significant anticipation. We eagerly await the birth of an iconic landmark that harmonizes with the park’s natural splendor.
□ The MOU marks the first step towards a comprehensive collaboration between the two parties to achieve common goals—promoting contemporary art, expanding accessibility in relevant spaces, and fostering cultural exchanges. The partnership has an initial term of five years, with a renewal option.
□ The Centre Pompidou Busan will organize diverse exhibits unique to Busan that embrace the essence of contemporary Western art of the Centre Pompidou, whose collection includes over 140,000 works. The main program will consist of a year-round permanent exhibition, an annual special exhibition, and quality training developed by the Centre Pompidou.
○ The city and the Centre Pompidou will form an arts commission to share various ideas to be realized and shape a cultural landscape in Busan. An MOA will be signed right after the city collects and considers opinions from citizens and experts and carries out administrative measures.
□ At the Centre Pompidou Busan, the city’s commitment goes beyond showcasing world-class masterpieces. Busan is also set to run exhibitions and workshops for local artists, thereby forging a global platform meticulously crafted to support a regional arts ecosystem.
□ Mayor Park pledged, “We will soon convene roundtables with people from all walks of life. We will continue to communicate and receive advice for the success of the Centre Pompidou-Busan.”
○ Under lawful procedures, the city will kick off construction in 2027 and unveil the Centre Pompidou Busan to the public in 2031.
