Disability Art Platform Initiated by Korea Becomes Part of Olympic Cultural Program

"ArtPara Milan-Cortina 2026" Selected for Cultural Olympiad
ArtPara Exhibition Opens in Milan with 142 Artists from 30 Countries

The global exhibition project "ArtPara Milan-Cortina 2026," which showcases works by artists with developmental disabilities from around the world, will open on the 7th (local time) in Milan, Italy.

The global exhibition project "ArtPara Milano-Cortina 2026," showcasing works by artists with developmental disabilities from around the world, will open on the 7th (local time) in Milan, Italy. Photo by ArtPara

This exhibition will be held at Ex Fornace in Milan, coinciding with the Winter Paralympics, and will run for 11 days from the 8th to the 18th.

Notably, this exhibition has been officially included in the "Cultural Olympiad," the official cultural program of the Winter Olympics. The inclusion of a disability arts project in the Olympic cultural program is expected to serve as an opportunity to expand the international significance of developmental disability art.

A total of 142 artists with disabilities from 30 countries around the world, including the Olympic host country Italy, will participate in the exhibition. Among them, 10 artists with developmental disabilities from Korea will also present their works.

Artists from major European disability art support organizations, such as France's "Atelier A92" and Italy's "Atelier Ticonzero," will also participate, introducing a variety of works.

The opening ceremony will be attended by Alessandro Junji, Chair of the Milan Olympic Committee, and diplomatic representatives from various countries. From Korea, Consul General Choi Taeho in Milan will attend.

Choi Hwiyeong, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated, "ArtPara has strengthened international solidarity in disability arts and broadened society's understanding of diversity," adding, "I hope that the values of coexistence and inclusion will spread worldwide along with the Olympic spirit."

The global exhibition project showcasing works by artists with developmental disabilities worldwide, "ArtPara Milano-Cortina 2026," will open on the 7th (local time) in Milan, Italy. Photo by ArtPara

ArtPara is a global art project launched by Korean artist Kim Geuntae, who has visual and hearing impairments. Since its first exhibition at the United Nations headquarters in New York in 2015, it has continued to be showcased on the international stage, including at the UN Office at Geneva, UNESCO headquarters in Paris, and the OECD headquarters.

Oh Jun, Chair of the ArtPara Organizing Committee, said, "It is necessary to change perceptions so that people with disabilities are seen not as objects of charity or welfare, but as individuals with equal rights and dignity."

ArtPara plans to expand as a global disability art platform that will be held regularly at future Summer and Winter Olympic host cities. The next exhibition is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles, USA, during the 2028 Summer Olympics.

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