Culture ministry to host 2026 museum expo in Daejeon

The culture ministry announced it will host the 2026 Museum and Art Museum Expo at the Daejeon Convention Center from Sept. 18 to 20. The gathering aims to explore the evolving role of museums by combining cultural values with artificial intelligence and other digital technologies under the theme "K-Culture, Opening the Future Museum."

A total of 151 institutions, including the National Museum of Korea, will operate approximately 380 booths during the event.

Attendees can access ten free experience and education programs alongside an immersive content zone screening 17 digital exhibits. The ministry has also arranged a tour program linking six museums in the Daejeon and Chungnam regions, as well as career consulting sessions for job seekers in the industry. A stamp tour connecting various booths will reward the three visitors with the most checks each day with gift certificates.

The expo will feature the 20th International Conference of the Korean Museums Association. Yoo Hong-joon, director of the National Museum of Korea, will deliver the opening keynote speech, followed by addresses from Chase F. Robinson of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art and other experts.

"Museums and art museums are the solid roots supporting K-Culture," said Jeong Hyang-mi, head of the culture and arts policy bureau at the ministry. "The ministry will strive to ensure these spaces become places where people anywhere in the region can enjoy culture in their daily lives."