Conclusion of an Agreement on Academic and Cultural Exchange with the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea
On May 1, 2026, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) and the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (TOBUNKEN) concluded the “Agreement on Academic and Cultural Exchange and Other Activities.” This agreement was promoted mainly by the Archives Section of the Department of Art Research, Archives and Information Systems, with the aim of advancing research and investigation on modern and contemporary art materials held by the two institutions, sharing digital information on such materials and related scholarly information, promoting joint projects such as symposia and seminars related to modern and contemporary art in Japan and Korea, and encouraging staff exchanges.
The MMCA is one of Korea’s leading museums of modern and contemporary art. With venues in Gwacheon, Deoksugung, Seoul, and Cheongju, it actively engages not only in exhibitions, collection building, conservation, education, and research, but also in archival activities. At its Art Research Center, the MMCA collects, arranges, preserves, and makes available personal archival materials of artists, architects, critics, and others. It also manages materials generated through the museum’s exhibition, education, and research activities, to develop a foundation for research on modern and contemporary Korean art. These materials can be searched through the “Archive Search” page on the MMCA official website listed below.
The Cheongju venue also houses Larchiveum, a space for which the name combines “Library,” “Archive,” and “Museum.” Located on the third floor, Larchiveum collects and manages a wide range of content related to modern and contemporary Korean art, centered on works in the MMCA’s collection. Visitors can freely consult materials there, making it not only a space for preserving and managing art-related resources, but also a place where the public can engage with such materials and use them for research, study, and learning.
Among these archival materials, those available for consultation may be accessed by users after completing the prescribed application procedures. Once approved, users can consult original or digital materials at the Art Research Center in either the Gwacheon or Seoul venue. Information on opening hours and user guidance is available on the MMCA website “Library and Archive” page listed below. The MMCA also operates the online research platform “MMCA Research Lab,” also listed below, where it provides timelines, essays, glossaries, seminar records, and other resources related to modern and contemporary Korean art. Thus, the museum actively utilizes archival materials not only for preservation, but also as resources for research, education, and public outreach.
At TOBUNKEN, the Archives Section has long worked to investigate, arrange, preserve, and make materials held by the Institute available to the public, while also promoting information sharing with related institutions in Japan and abroad. Taking the conclusion of this agreement as an opportunity, the two institutions will further exchange information and conduct joint research on modern and contemporary art materials in their respective collections. They will also work to develop a foundation that contributes to the study of modern and contemporary art in Japan and Korea through the digitization of materials and the organization of symposia and seminars. In addition, the two institutions will exchange information on effective ways to utilize archival materials, with the aim of promoting their more effective and meaningful use.
Reference URLs
National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea: Archive Search
https://www.mmca.go.kr/research/archiveSearchList.do
National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea: Book Search
https://www.mmca.go.kr/bookArchive/searchBookList.do
National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea: Library and Archive
https://www.mmca.go.kr/eng/bookArchive/bookArchiveMain.do
MMCA Research Lab
https://www.mmcaresearch.kr/