Opening of the 'Songpa Youth Artist Center'

Songpa-gu, provides workspaces and exhibition opportunities for young artists

Remodeling of the building completed for compensation of Pungnap-dong earthen fort, supporting activities of local artists and revitalizing the declining village

Seven young visual artists move in, with ongoing individual art activities and resident-participation cultural and artistic programs

Songpa-gu (Mayor Seo Gang-seok) announced on the 3rd that it has opened the Songpa Youth Artist Center utilizing the building completed for compensation of cultural heritage in Pungnap-dong.

Since last year, the district has been preparing to open the Youth Artist Center to revitalize local culture and support young artists. To utilize the aging Seoul city-owned building located in Pungnap-dong, free use approval was obtained until 2026, and remodeling was completed earlier this year.

The facility, with a total floor area of approximately 390㎡, consisting of one basement floor and five above-ground floors, has been well equipped with a resident cultural space and rest area, an exhibition hall, and artist workspaces. It is expected to breathe new life into the village, which has been empty due to cultural heritage compensation.

In May, young artists wishing to move into the center were selected through a public competition. The resident artists consist of local artists actively working in various visual art fields such as painting, installation art, video, and photography.

They will be supported with one creative workshop per team, as well as shared spaces including a communal workspace and exhibition hall. While continuing their art activities at the center, they will also offer various cultural and artistic programs more than twice a month at the first-floor resident rest area for local residents.

The artists residing in the center shared their thoughts, saying, “It is not easy to get opportunities to exhibit works,” and “We intend to gain artistic inspiration in Pungnap-dong, where the past and present coexist, share it with residents, and present exhibitions reflecting the local identity in our works.”

The spacious exhibition space is expected to become a cradle of local art. Currently, the center’s exhibition hall is hosting a joint exhibition titled ‘Resident Report Exhibition,’ where the unique personalities of the resident artists can be felt.

In addition, not only resident artists but also other artists active in Songpa and local residents’ works will be showcased in various ways. Currently, to mark the opening of the center, a village photo exhibition titled ‘Pungnap ON,’ featuring children living in Pungnap-dong, has started on the first floor, which serves as a resident rest area.

Seo Gang-seok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, stated, “For young local artists, having a solid spatial foundation where they can freely expand their artistic world is most important,” and added, “We will support passionate and dream-filled local artists so that all residents can enjoy high-quality culture, and create a city where culture and arts flourish.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.