MMCA Korea and SFMOMA Announce Partnership

SAN FRANCISCO AND SEOUL (April 21, 2026)—In honor of the 50th anniversary of San Francisco and Seoul’s relationship as Sister Cities, The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) jointly announce a new partnership focused on the institutions’ shared goal of bridging cultures and connecting communities through art. To commemorate the official launch of this meaningful collaboration, MMCA Director Kim Sunghee and SFMOMA Director Christopher Bedford will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

To support this cultural exchange and establish an important foundation for international cooperation, the MOU memorializes the institutions’ desire to collaborate and explore opportunities for special exhibitions, including opportunities for traveling exhibitions of artworks in their respective collections as well as related scholarly research initiatives and educational programming to help elevate these important collections in the international arena.

“Art can serve as a powerful connector, and this partnership embodies the MMCA and SFMOMA’s shared goal of bridge-building across cultures, creativity, and continents,” said Christopher Bedford, Helen and Charles Schwab Director of SFMOMA. “We look forward to fostering meaningful dialogue between Korea and the US and beyond on this very special 50th anniversary of the Sister City relationship between Seoul and San Francisco.”

“This MOU is a crucial step as two institutions that have developed in differing regions and contexts become closely linked through the medium of contemporary art,” said MMCA Director Kim Sunghee. “Through various collaborative projects that connect Korean and global contemporary art, we look forward to witnessing both institutions growing together while offering a wider perspective to their visitors.”

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)
151 Third Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is one of the largest museums of modern and contemporary art in the United States and a thriving cultural center for the Bay Area. Our remarkable collection of painting, sculpture, photography, architecture, design and media arts is housed in a LEED Gold-certified building designed by the global architects Snøhetta and Mario Botta. In addition to our seven gallery floors, SFMOMA now offers over 45,000 square feet of free, art-filled public space open to all.

Visit sfmoma.org or call 415.357.4000 for more information.
Follow us on Twitter for updates and announcements: @SFMOMA_Press

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA)
Established in 1969, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) has emerged as one of Korea’s preeminent arts and culture institutions, sharing its history with the course of Korean modern and contemporary art. The MMCA currently operates four venues: MMCA Gwacheon, MMCA Deoksugung, MMCA Seoul and MMCA Cheongju. As one of the country’s foremost art institutions, the MMCA works to facilitate the development and distribution of art world discourse, serving as a cradle for creative education and art appreciation through fascinating and meaningful exhibitions.

General inquiries MMCA Seoul: +82-2-3701-9500
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube @mmcakorea www.mmca.go.kr/eng

Media Contacts
Clara Hatcher Baruth ӏ SFMOMA ӏ chatcher@sfmoma.org ӏ 415.357.4177
Jiyeon Chae ӏ MMCA ӏ mmcapress@korea.kr ӏ +82-2-3701-9675

Image credits:
SFMOMA, view from Yerba Buena Gardens; photo: Jon McNeal © Snøhetta
MMCA © Park Jung Hoon