To deepen international academic cooperation and broaden students' global cultural perspectives, faculty from the Graduate Institute of Arts Management and Entrepreneurship at National Sun Yat-sen University (GIAEM) recently led graduate students to Seoul, South Korea, for an intensive multi-day academic exchange and overseas field study. The delegation not only conducted field visits to Seoul's landmark cultural institutions and creative clusters, but also held in-depth symposiums with the School of Arts and Cultural Management at Hongik University—South Korea's premier arts institution. The visit fostered rich discussions on leading-edge topics, including Asian contemporary art market dynamics, K-pop industry supply chains, and cultural policy frameworks.

Renowned internationally for its excellence in art and design, Hongik University serves as a pivotal think tank for South Korea's cultural content industries through its cultural and arts management research. During the exchange, GIAEM faculty and students joined Hongik University scholars to explore core themes, such as "Comparative Cultural Policies between Taiwan and South Korea," "Operational Management of Large-Scale Cultural Festivals," and "Incubation and Entrepreneurship for Emerging Artists." Through thematic presentations and breakout panel discussions, students from both institutions compared the similarities and distinctions within their respective cultural ecosystems and market landscapes, sparking dynamic intellectual dialogue and laying a solid foundation for future bilateral academic collaborations.

Field Visits to Seoul's Cultural Landmarks: Insights into Content Curation and Spatial Revitalisation

Beyond academic symposiums, the delegation conducted comprehensive field investigations across Seoul's premier arts venues, including the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA), Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), the Seongsu-dong cultural revitalisation district, and multiple independent art spaces. Faculty and students engaged in multifaceted fieldwork spanning "venue operations and placemaking," "public art community interventions," and "symbiosis between commercial capital and artistic production," critically analyzing the strategic operations and curatorial aesthetics underpinning South Korea's national cultural initiatives and global cultural exports (K-Culture).

Implementing Higher Education Sprout Project: Cultivating Globally Competitive Arts Management Leaders

GIAEM emphasized that in an increasingly globalized context, future arts management leaders must possess cross-cultural competence and sharp industry acumen. Organized with generous support from the Ministry of Education's Higher Education Sprout Project and NSYSU, this Seoul academic exchange provided an invaluable opportunity to directly align classroom theory with international frontline practices. Participating students noted that face-to-face exchanges with leading overseas scholars and peers provided deep, practical insights into contemporary international arts management trends and transnational project planning.

Looking forward, GIAEM will continue to advance diverse international field study and overseas internship programs, actively connecting with leading cultural institutions and academic hubs across Asia, Europe, and North America to cultivate outstanding cultural leaders equipped with global perspectives and agile execution for Taiwan.