Global Korea Residency

Mon, 28 Sep 2026">published - Mon, 28 Sep 2026

Job Summary

The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) invites applications from emerging to mid-career artists whose practice engages with, or is influenced by, the arts of Korea.

Job Description

This one-off V&A residency is made possible through dedicated funding from the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism, Republic of Korea and the National Museum of Korea. It offers a unique opportunity to explore the V&A's Korean collection - spanning from historical ceramics, lacquerware, metalwork and textiles to contemporary fashion, including a seminal donation by fashion pioneer Lee Young Hee, alongside contemporary craft and design (one of the largest holdings outside Korea), digital practice, and histories of colonial encounter. The selected artist will also have access to the V&A's wider global collections, enabling cross-cultural dialogue, unexpected connections, and expansive research. We are particularly interested in practitioners eager to work across disciplines, forge new connections, and develop work that brings fresh perspectives to our collections and audiences.

This residency is part of the V&A's ongoing commitment to supporting contemporary creative practice and broadening access to its collections. As a museum rooted in creativity and making, we see our collections as an active resource for research, experimentation, and the development of new work. Through this programme, we aim to support practitioners whose ideas shape contemporary culture, creating space for new interpretations and perspectives.

Key themes of particular interest include colonial narratives; digital realms and speed culture; global perspectives on Korea across time; societal issues, particularities or communities; hybridity in craft, design, architecture and popular culture; subculture in material and visual culture; polyphonic graphic design; ceramic practices; research on the Korean collection. Please note we have on-site ceramics facilities, including a kiln.

This 3-day-a-week residency will be held at the V&A South Kensington in London over a four-month period from 1st February 2027 to 28th May 2027 (we are flexible on which three days you work, Mon - Fri).

Job Requirements

The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) invites applications from emerging to mid-career UK-based artists whose practice engages with, or is influenced by, the arts of Korea.

Applicants with non-Korean heritage may apply, but we particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of Korean culture.

You will be asked to confirm that you have the right to work in the UK. If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you will not be able to progress your application further.

The V&A will provide a £16,000 bursary, plus a materials budget and studio space within the Museum.

Job Responsibilities

The appointed resident will be expected to:

Spend their time throughout the residency carrying out museum-focused and/or collections-based research, developing their practice, meeting with/presenting ideas to museum staff, and developing ideas for public engagement.

This residency must be their primary commitment for 3 days per week

Present their research and work in progress to the V&A museum staff and the general public through taking part in an Open Studio event and in the Korean Craft and Design Symposium at the V&A.

Participate in monthly 121s with the Residency Senior Producer

Share their residency-related research outputs on the V&A website and networks

Author and submit a final report reflecting on their residency research and experience

Commit to induction and orientation at V&A before the residency start date and to the residency code of professional practice.

Job Overview

• Job Title: Global Korea Residency
• Role: Creative
• Contract: Temporary
• Location: London

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