When you think of a city’s “art week,” big convention centres filled with hundreds of booths by global galleries might come to mind. That is certainly the case for Seoul Art Week, as two major art fairs, Frieze Seoul and the Korea International Art Fair (Kiaf SEOUL), descend simultaneously upon the 36,000 sqm hall of the COEX Convention and Exhibition Centre every September. 

While these two fairs are central to the festivities, Seoul Art Week also ropes in local gallery districts and national museums to make the party even livelier. From limited-time events to extended gallery opening hours, this is how I spent my art week in Seoul — beyond the fairs.

Free tickets to the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art

Located in the Samcheong-dong neighbourhood, Korea’s National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) can be spotted from miles away. MMCA Collection: Korean Contemporary Art, a permanent exhibition drawn from the museum’s collection of over 11,000 pieces, features renowned Korean artists like Lee Ufan, Park Seo-bo, and Kim Whanki. 

I was absolutely shocked to find that the museum was issuing free tickets to the public, including foreigners, to commemorate the month-long Korea Art Festival. After all, most visitors would happily pay the usual 2,000 won (under 2 Singapore dollars) fee to visit the exhibition! 

The free tickets granted entry to all four levels of the museum, which would easily take three to four hours to finish viewing. Even at 12 p.m., the exhibition space was already packed with spectators, bustling with guided tours, and buzzing with words from the strangers around me, as they expressed their excitement at viewing beloved works of art. 

Besides the exhibitions, booths by local art and design businesses were stationed inside and outside the museum, allowing both Korean and foreign visitors to discover the country’s indie artists and art collectives. I probably spent more than my wallet could handle on the cute merchandise and exclusive zines for sale!

The MMCA’s efforts to facilitate access to art, such as giving out free tickets and providing a platform for local businesses to thrive, showed me the loving commitment the institution has to Korea’s art scene both past and present. 

Neighbourhood gallery nights

During Seoul Art Week, select galleries from the art neighbourhoods of Euljiro-dong, Hannam-dong, Cheongdam-dong, and Samcheong-dong extended their opening hours to 11 p.m. and hosted activities like artist meet-and-greets and guided tours. 

In the Cheongdam-dong neighbourhood, purple and orange hues lit up the evening, while visitors wandered through galleries till past dark. Colourful banners, balloons, and even food trucks added to the lively atmosphere. 

As I walked through the city, I was struck by how the galleries, ostensibly “competitors,” supported each other. Hearing gallerists and staff express good opinions of their neighbours, I left with the impression that the galleries were more interested in growing together than dominating their respective neighborhoods. 

I also noticed that the various programmes, from art trails to curator-guided tours, were designed for different types of art lovers, allowing each visitor to have a truly personal experience with art. To top it all off, hungry gallery-hoppers could stop by a convenience store (which, in Seoul, can be found every few hundred metres) for a refreshing bite of ice cream or hot bowl of ramyun — the perfect way to end the night. 

A city alive with art

Visting the different neighbourhoods, I also heard various sentiments towards Seoul Art Week. Curator Song Jiwon from the Kumho Museum of Art stated: “Although we are not a gallery but a museum, we still do feel a sense of celebration together with the galleries around us. As we encounter more visitors within this art fair period, we definitely feel the joy of art appreciation.”

Down the street, gallery associate Noh Minju from Hakgojae Gallery expressed: “I personally consider our art fair season to basically be a holiday, given the amount of excitement and activities presented throughout this period. We definitely do meet many foreigners and even locals during this time, which is why we also try to pay even more attention to the exhibitions we display to help bring more Korean local artists to the international stage, whether in an art fair or here in our gallery.”

During my week in Seoul, I experienced how Seoul Art Week is so much more than just the glamorous art fairs. Even without stepping into COEX, I saw the city come to life with art, community, and joy. From free museum days to late-night gallery walks, it felt like there were art experiences for everyone. 

For me, Seoul Art Week represented a true celebration of art, one that travelled far beyond convention halls. If you ever find yourself in Seoul one September, I would truly recommend joining in the festivities — even without a fair ticket in hand. 

___________________________________

Seoul Art Week takes place every September. 

Header image: Seoul Art Week festivities in the Cheongdam-dong neighbourhood.