The second edition of "Busan, Connected," a major exhibition highlighting emerging artists from South Korea's coastal metropolis, opened Tuesday at the Vault Art Museum in Busan. This year's show, titled "Next together," brings together approximately 20 artists and art collectives based in the region, all competing for a prestigious opportunity that could launch their careers onto the national stage.

The exhibition represents the culmination of an intensive selection process organized by the Busan city government. Out of 160 artists who applied for the competitive contest to participate in the show, only the most promising talents were chosen to display their works in this unique venue. The participating artists will undergo a rigorous evaluation process, with judges assessing the quality and innovation of the works currently on display.

The winner of this competition will receive an extraordinary opportunity to advance their artistic career. The selected artist will be granted the chance to present their work in a solo exhibition at the Preview Art Fair 2026 in Seoul. This art fair serves as a crucial launching pad for new galleries and emerging artists, functioning as a gateway to major international art fairs and providing invaluable exposure to collectors, curators, and art industry professionals.

The Vault Art Museum itself adds a fascinating historical dimension to the exhibition. The building previously served as the secure vault facility for the Bank of Korea's Busan headquarters until 2013, when it was transformed into this unique cultural space. The museum's distinctive architecture consists of four original bank vaults that were once used to store currency, surrounded by double-walled corridors that were originally designed for surveillance purposes.

This innovative repurposing of a former financial institution into an art space creates a compelling backdrop for contemporary art, where the intersection of commerce and culture takes on new meaning. The exhibition will remain open to the public through October 10, giving art enthusiasts and the broader community ample opportunity to discover and support Busan's most promising emerging artists.