Korea Sculptors Association signs back-to-back cultural MOUs with Chungju, Bareun Art Center

The Korea Sculptors Association has signed consecutive memorandums of understanding with Chungju and Bareun Art Center, launching a push to revitalize regional arts and broaden public engagement with sculpture. The partnerships span a modern sculpture project rooted in local heritage, youth art education and international sculpture events.

The association announced Tuesday that Chairman Kwon Chi-gyu and Chungju Mayor Lee Dong-seok signed the MOU at Chungju City Hall on Friday, pledging cooperation on cultural arts development and expanded exchange.

At the heart of the agreement is a modern sculpture project centered on Jungang Tower, one of Chungju's most prominent cultural landmarks. The two institutions plan to blend the tower's historical significance with contemporary sculpture to create new cultural content, with the aim of boosting local tourism and enhancing the city's brand identity.

Jungang Tower is the popular name for the Seven-Story Stone Pagoda of Tapyeong-ri in Chungju, a National Treasure. The association and the city will explore a range of cultural arts initiatives using the site as a focal point, with specific plans to be worked out in stages.

"I am delighted that our meaningful meeting with Chungju has opened the door to cooperation, including a modern sculpture project centered on Jungang Tower — a treasured piece of the region's cultural heritage," Kwon said. "I hope the close collaboration between our two institutions will strengthen Chungju's competitiveness in the arts and create opportunities for the public and the art world to connect more deeply."

Mayor Lee said the partnership would allow Chungju's historical depth and natural beauty to shine through high-caliber sculpture, and pledged active support for joint cultural projects.

Earlier, on Oct. 13, the Korea Sculptors Association signed a separate MOU with Bareun Art Center to cooperate on art education and cultural exchange.

The two organizations will jointly develop art education programs for younger generations and work to expand related initiatives. The agreement formalizes a working relationship that took shape through this year's Seoul International Sculpture Festa 2026, and both parties plan to collaborate on preparations for next year's edition as well.

Kim Han-gyu, CEO of Bareun Art Center and a planning committee member of the Korea Sculptors Association, will contribute to the festa's external communications strategy and help set its medium- to long-term direction — extending the partnership beyond event logistics into education, exhibitions and outreach.

"It is deeply meaningful to work alongside the Korea Sculptors Association to spread the value of art education and advance the domestic sculpture scene," Kim said. "As a planning committee member, I will actively support the promotion and operations of Seoul International Sculpture Festa 2027 so that it becomes a successful festival where the public and the art world can communicate broadly."

Kwon said the agreement with Bareun Art Center would help raise the professional standard of the association's art education programs, while partnerships with Chungju and other institutions would drive efforts to bring sculpture to wider audiences across the country.

The 16th Seoul International Sculpture Festa 2027, hosted by the Korea Sculptors Association and organized by the International Sculpture Festa Steering Committee, is scheduled to run at COEX Hall C in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, from Jan. 28 to Jan. 31 next year.