About us
Message from the President
International Association for Art Ecosystem Research (IAAE)
The International Association for Art Ecosystem Research (IAAE) is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to examining how art operates as an ecosystem. The Association focuses on the interconnections between artistic practices, social structures, institutions, regions, and lived environments.
IAAE does not approach art as isolated works or temporary events, but understands it as a dynamic system in which people, memory, place, and social conditions continuously interact and evolve. From this perspective, art is regarded not only as a cultural output, but as a critical tool for research, education, and social value creation.
The Association places particular emphasis on the relationship between regionally grounded practices and global cultural discourse. Through long-term research, exhibitions, educational programs, and international collaboration, IAAE examines how local artistic ecosystems emerge and generate public value, especially in regions undergoing social, economic, or demographic transition.
IAAE’s core areas of focus include art as a form of social research, the role of culture in community resilience and regeneration, the relationship between territory, memory, and public space, and sustainable models for cultural ecosystems beyond market-driven frameworks.
Operating as an open research platform, IAAE collaborates with cultural institutions, universities, foundations, and local communities across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Its projects include research-based exhibitions, public programs, archives, and pilot initiatives, ensuring both public accessibility and academic and curatorial rigor.
Ultimately, IAAE seeks to reconfigure relationships between art and society, global discourse and local knowledge, and past memory and future possibilities, contributing to the development of inclusive and sustainable cultural ecosystems.
국제예술생태연구협회(International Association for Art Ecosystem Research, IAAE)
국제예술생태연구협회(IAAE)는 예술이 하나의 생태계로서 작동하는 방식에 대한 연구를 수행하는 독립 비영리 기관이다. 본 협회는 예술적 실천, 사회 구조, 제도, 지역, 그리고 생활 환경 간 의 상호 연관성을 중심으로 연구를 진행한다.
IAAE는 예술을 개별 작품이나 일시적 사건으로 한정하지 않고, 인간, 기억, 장소, 사회적 조건이 지속적으로 상호작용하며 변화하는 체계로 이해한다. 이러한 관점에서 예술은 문화적 산출을 넘어 연구, 교육, 그리고 사회적 가치 창출에 기여하는 핵심적 수단으로 간주된다.
본 협회는 지역 기반 예술 실천과 글로벌 문화 담론 간의 연계를 주요 연구 대상으로 삼고 있으며, 장기적 연구, 전시, 교육 프로그램 및 국제 협력을 통해 지역 예술 생태계의 형성과 공공적 가치 창출 과정을 분석한다. 특히 사회적·경제적·인구학적 전환기에 놓인 지역에 대한 연구를 중점적으로 수행한다.
IAAE는 예술의 사회적 연구 기능, 공동체 회복력 및 재생 과정에서 문화의 역할, 장소·기억·공공 공간 간의 관계, 그리고 시장 중심 구조를 넘어서는 지속 가능한 문화 생태계 모델을 주요 연구 영역으로 삼는다.
IAAE는 아시아, 유럽, 미주 지역의 문화기관, 대학, 재단 및 지역 공동체와 협력하는 개방형 연구 플랫폼으로 운영되며, 연구 기반 전시, 공공 프로그램, 아카이브 및 파일럿 프로젝트를 수행한다. 이러한 활동은 대중 접근성을 확보하는 동시에 학문적·큐레이토리얼 기준을 유지하는 것을 목표로 한다.
궁극적으로 IAAE는 예술과 사회, 글로벌 담론과 지역 지식, 과거의 기억과 미래 가능성 간의 관계를 재구성함으로써, 포용적이고 지속 가능한 문화 생태계 구축에 기여하고자 한다.
전혜연 Monica Hye Yeon Jun
President, International Association for Art Ecosystem Research (IAAE)
Who we are
Our goal is to deepen the global discourse on the position and role of contemporary art while highlighting and seeking solutions to significant social, cultural, and political issues of our time through contemporary art.
Professional Engagement
Research & Discourse
Conduct research and critical analysis on contemporary art and its relationship with social issues such as immigration, borders, diaspora, human rights, environment, and technology. Collaborate with global curators to explore how contemporary art can fulfill social roles. Publish annual reports and academic journals to foster discourse and share insights.
International Collaboration & Networking
Build strong networks with curators, artists, and cultural institutions worldwide. Organize global curator forums and symposia to encourage cross-border dialogue. Plan cross-cultural exhibitions and collaborative projects to promote cultural exchange.
Education & Mentorship
Provide mentorship and educational programs for emerging curators. Offer workshops for contemporary art planners and researchers. Host both online and offline seminars to foster continuous learning and community engagement.
Social Responsibility & Activism
Highlight social issues such as human rights, environmental concerns, gender equality, and digital ethics through contemporary art. Advocate for the rights and support of artists and curators. Promote social change through artistic initiatives and activism.
Exhibitions & Special Projects
Curate exhibitions in collaboration with global curators. Support emerging and underrepresented artists to amplify diverse voices. Develop experimental projects across various forms, including media art, performance, and interactive art.
Policy Advocacy & Art Development
Propose policies that emphasize the value and role of contemporary art. Collaborate with governments and art institutions to advance arts-support policies. Research the intersection of contemporary art with technology, economy, and social structures.
Vision
The Global Curator Association aims to transform contemporary art into a vital platform for driving social change and shaping cultural discourse—moving beyond art as mere expression to art as a catalyst for meaningful impact.
