Diplomacy Journal Kim Tae Yeon | The "29th World Peace Art Exhibition (World Peace Art Exhibition 2026)," a representative international art competition for domestic and international artists, will begin accepting artworks from June 25 to June 30. Hosted by the Grand Art Exhibition Organizing Committee, this competition is being held under the theme "Beyond the Era of Violence, Painting Peace Again" and is establishing itself as an international cultural and artistic festival where artists from around the world express the values of peace, coexistence, and humanity through art.
In particular, this year's event is expected to become the largest-ever venue for international art exchange, with artists from over 30 countries--including South Korea, Asia, Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Africa--are scheduled to participate.
The exhibition will be held from July 29 to August 4, 2026, across the entire 2nd and 3rd floors of the Korea Art Museum in Insa-dong, Seoul, and the awards ceremony will take place on July 29 at 2:00 pm on the 2nd floor of the museum.
This competition will proceed as a comprehensive art event encompassing traditional, contemporary, and digital art, including Western painting, Korean painting, watercolor, sculpture, crafts, photography, design, calligraphy, literati painting, wood carving, K-Minhwa (K-Folk Art), K-Grapy, as well as AI digital art. The scale of the awards is also unprecedented.
The highest honor, the Grand Prize, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award. In addition, will be awarded.
The Grand Prize for each category will be presented with the Seoul Mayor's Award, the Top Excellence Award with the Federation of Korean Artists Associations President's Award, and the Excellence Award with the Foreign Ambassadors to Korea Award.
Furthermore, fierce competition is expected as numerous special awards have been prepared, including the National Assembly Speaker's Award, the National Assembly Vice Speaker's Award, the National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee Chairman's Award, the Seoul Metropolitan Council Speaker's Award, the Gyeonggi Provincial Governor's Award, the Grand Prize Winner of the Korea Art Exhibition Award, the World Arts Foundation President's Award, the Foreign Ambassador to Korea Award, Special Selection, and Honorable Mention.
Moreover, winners will be awarded a total prize money of 10 million won, along with gift certificates and supplementary prizes worth approximately 50 million won, drawing significant attention from artists both at home and abroad.
An official from the World Peace Art Exhibition Organizing Committee stated, “The World Peace Art Exhibition is not merely a competition, but an international cultural and artistic platform that spreads the values of peace, harmony, and the common prosperity of humanity through art.” Them the official added, “As high-quality works are submitted every year, high competition is expected again this year.”
The official continued, “As a surge in submissions is anticipated on the deadline, we ask artists wishing to participate to submit their entries promptly.”
Meanwhile, since its inception in 1998, the World Peace Art Exhibition has contributed to the internationalization of Korean art and the expansion of cultural exchange by discovering outstanding domestic and international artists for 29 years. Marking its 30th anniversary in 2027, the exhibition is preparing to take a leap forward as a world-class art festival with the goal of attracting participation from 100 countries.
Application Period: June 25, 2026 – June 30, 2026
Exhibition Period: July 29, 2026 – August 4, 2026
Venue: Entire 2nd & 3rd Floors, Korea Art Museum, Insa-dong, Seoul
Inquiries: Tel 02-396-3000
Website: www.wpae.co.kr
