Busan, South Korea – Busan Museum will present a new exhibition, The People We Knew as Indians, this fall, highlighting Native American culture, art, and history. The exhibit will run from October 29, 2024, to February 16, 2025, in collaboration with the Denver Art Museum. The event marks a unique moment in the museum’s history, as it brings Native American artifacts to South Korea for the first time.
The Busan Museum, established in 1978, is well known for its focus on preserving the history and culture of the local region. It houses 45,000 artifacts, of which about 1,300 are displayed regularly. However, this exhibit represents a move toward expanding the museum’s focus to include global cultural heritage.
Featuring 150 Artifacts from the Denver Art Museum
The Denver Art Museum’s Indigenous Arts of North America collection, which contains over 18,000 artifacts, will be the basis for the exhibit. The collection is regarded as one of the most comprehensive in North America, with items that span over 2,000 years of Native American history.
The Busan Museum exhibit will display 150 carefully selected artifacts, offering insight into both historical and contemporary Native American life. The exhibition is structured into two sections. The first, titled “Gratitude to the Earth and Sky,” will explore the spiritual and everyday practices of Native American tribes, focusing on their connection to the natural world. The second section, “Facing a New World,” addresses the impact of European colonization on Native American societies, showcasing their resilience and adaptation in the face of conflict and cultural change.
In addition to the artifacts, the exhibition will feature a series of interactive and educational programs. Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities such as Teepee model-making, and guided tours with museum curators will provide deeper insights into the cultural and historical significance of the items on display. The museum will also host lectures on Native American culture and history during the exhibition period, enhancing the learning experience for attendees.
These educational initiatives are part of Busan Museum’s ongoing commitment to provide engaging and informative programs for visitors. In recent years, the museum has expanded its facilities, adding more permanent exhibition rooms and educational spaces, which have enabled it to offer a wider range of cultural experiences.
The partnership with the Denver Art Museum reflects Busan Museum’s goal of broadening its cultural outreach. While the museum has traditionally focused on Korean history, this exhibit marks an important step in fostering greater awareness of global cultures among local audiences. The exhibit provides a rare opportunity for South Korean visitors to learn about the rich and diverse cultures of Native American peoples.
The exhibition is expected to attract considerable attention from both local residents and tourists. With a wide variety of activities and artifacts on display, the event aims to offer visitors a comprehensive look at Native American history, art, and cultural traditions.
By exploring the lives and histories of Native American communities, the exhibition contributes to the museum’s broader mission of education and cultural preservation. Visitors will have the chance to engage with Native American culture through both historical artifacts and interactive programs, making this a unique and valuable experience for those interested in history and world cultures.
