Social Sustainability of Museums and Community Relations: A Case Study of the Buk-Seoul Museum of Art

This study explores the relationship between museums and communities as a key element in achieving social sustainability for museums. It examines the theoretical and empirical dimensions of this relationship and seeks directions for its development. The study investigates museum organization’s perceptions of and approaches to communities, community experiences and needs regarding museums, and organizational tasks required to realize community-centered practices. Through a review of the literature and qualitative case study, the concepts and practical aspects of social sustainability and community-centeredness in museums were examined, with a focus on the Buk-Seoul Museum of Art. The analysis highlights the necessity for museums to establish a clear community-oriented vision and direction, share these internally among stakeholders, and develop a system to accumulate and provide feedback on outcomes. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for structured and continuous community programs that allow citizens to engage with contemporary art and museum functions. Strengthening community participation in museums’ program planning processes and building a collaborative framework with diverse communities were also identified as key priorities. Based on these findings, the study proposes six practical recommendations: recognizing communities as dynamic and multifaceted networks, enhancing relationships with local communities, establishing an organizational vision, strengthening participatory communication systems, and developing collaboration mechanisms with related institutions.