TED CHUNG AWARDED MOMA HONOUR FOR TWO DECADES OF BRIDGING KOREAN AND GLOBAL ART

Hyundai Card Vice Chairman Ted Chung has been appointed an Honorary Trustee of New York’s Museum of Modern Art, recognising his long-standing contribution to advancing Korean art on the global stage and deepening cultural exchange. The appointment highlights a two-decade partnership between Hyundai Card and MoMA.

Hyundai Card Vice Chairman Ted Chung has been appointed an Honorary Trustee of The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, one of the highest distinctions conferred by the institution and a recognition of his longstanding efforts to advance the understanding and appreciation of modern and contemporary art across borders.

Announced on 9 November, the appointment acknowledges Chung’s contributions to expanding MoMA’s mission and strengthening connections between Korea and the international art world over the past two decades. Honorary Trustees are selected for their significant contributions to the Museum’s development and are expected to provide strategic guidance on major decisions, long-term growth and institutional direction.

Chung’s relationship with MoMA has been defined by a sustained commitment to cultural exchange. He has played a key role in promoting Korean artists on the global stage, supporting the international visibility of figures such as Haegue Yang and Ayoung Kim through solo exhibitions at MoMA and MoMA PS1. His efforts have also contributed to expanding research and curatorial engagement with Korean art within the Museum, creating new opportunities for scholarly collaboration and exchange.

Beyond supporting Korean artists internationally, Chung has sought to connect Korean audiences with leading developments in global contemporary art. Through a range of initiatives, he has helped introduce MoMA’s collections, publications and educational programmes to audiences in Korea, broadening access to world-class artistic experiences and encouraging deeper engagement with contemporary culture.

As Honorary Trustee, Chung is expected to draw on his extensive experience at the intersection of business, culture and innovation to help shape MoMA’s future vision and programming.

MoMA Director Christophe Cherix said Chung had played an exceptional role in deepening the Museum’s relationship with Korea. “Over the past 20 years, Vice Chairman Chung has played an unprecedented role in expanding MoMA’s presence in Korea, while opening new avenues for MoMA’s curators and audiences to deepen their understanding of and engagement with Korean art and artists,” Cherix said.

He added that Chung had also encouraged the institution “to anticipate the possibilities of technology and innovation, and to explore new ways of connecting art with audiences around the world”.

For Chung, the appointment reflects a philosophy that views art not merely as a beneficiary of corporate support but as a catalyst for creative thinking within business itself. “Hyundai Card does not support art. Rather, art supports Hyundai Card,” he said, arguing that artistic perspectives can inspire innovation and drive organisational creativity.

The honour also underscores the significance of the long-running partnership between Hyundai Card and MoMA, which began in 2006. Over the years, Hyundai Card has sponsored more than 100 exhibitions and programmes in New York and Seoul, including major presentations dedicated to the Bauhaus, Le Corbusier and Donald Judd.

The collaboration has evolved far beyond traditional sponsorship. Hyundai Card became the inaugural supporter of MoMA’s media and performance programming following the Museum’s expansion and reopening in 2019. Joint initiatives have included the Hyundai Card First Look exhibition series, the Hyundai Card Digital Wall installations in New York and Seoul, and a curatorial exchange programme fostering cooperation in acquisitions, exhibitions and research.

The partnership has also produced cultural landmarks such as the opening of the world’s first MoMA Bookstore in Seoul and expanded access for Korean visitors to the Museum. Together, these initiatives have helped strengthen artistic dialogue between Korea and the wider world, a legacy that Chung’s new role is expected to further reinforce.