Samsung Foundation of Culture has been selected for the grand prize at the ‘2025 Korea Mecenat Conference’. The Korea Mecenat Association announced on the 11th that it would present the Presidential Commendation, the Mecenat Grand Prize, to the Samsung Foundation of Culture at the event held at the Westin Chosun Seoul.
The Korea Mecenat Conference, now in its 26th year, is an occasion where businesses and the art world come together to promote mutual growth and increase societal interest in arts sponsorship. The Samsung Foundation of Culture, honored with this year’s grand prize, has consistently engaged in mecenat activities to advance Korean art since its establishment in 1965. It opened the Ho-Am Art Museum, the first private art museum in Korea, in 1982, showcasing national treasures and unique exhibitions, thus providing high-quality art experiences and working on cultural heritage preservation research.
The Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, which opened in 2004, has established itself as a leading corporate museum in Korea, presenting world-class collections and exhibitions. Furthermore, it supports diverse arts fields with programs such as the ‘Samsung Music Fellowship’ for classical instrument lending, the ‘Piano Tone Meister Program’ for training piano tuners, and sponsorship of the World Pansori Association to expand the base of traditional Korean music.
The Cultural Contribution Award (Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation) goes to Chong Kun Dang Holdings, which has practiced cultural sharing through support for painters and opera for over 10 years. The Mecenat Person Award (Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation), given to individuals contributing to the promotion of culture and arts, was awarded to Young-Ho Kim, the chairman of Ilshin Spinning Co., Ltd.
The Creativity Award goes to the MetLife Korea Foundation, which actively supports culture and arts. The Arts & Business Award is given to the National Credit Union Federation of Korea and the Institute of Traditional Korean Music and Arts for supporting future talents in traditional Korean music.
During the event, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Arts Council Korea will hold a certification ceremony for ‘cultural and arts sponsorship mediation organizations and excellent cultural and arts sponsorship organizations for 2025’. This certification system, implemented since 2015, aims to activate private sponsorship by certifying organizations and institutions that either facilitate sponsorship activities in culture and arts or carry them out exemplary.
This year, 12 organizations received new certifications including Sejong Si Mecenat Association, Gwangju Cultural Foundation, Yeongdeungpo Cultural Foundation, Chungnam Culture & Tourism Foundation, Shinsegae DF, Woori Bank, Time Technology, Baekdudaegan National Arboretum, HS Advanced Materials, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Development Corporation, Papa John’s Korea, and HansaeYes24 Holdings.
Additionally, Ventakorea Co., Ltd., which has provided studio spaces and operated exhibition and residency programs for visual artists, and the Gyeongnam Mecenat Association, contributing to the synergy between corporations and art organizations since 2007, received the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendations. Jaewon Koh, Director of the Jeju Mecenat Association, a professional in cultural and arts sponsorship known for exemplary creativity and passion, received the Arts Council Korea Chairman’s Commendation.