Artifact Donation

The National Folk Museum of Korea welcomes donations of life and culture-related materials owned by individuals or organizations in accordance with its aim of preserving and transmitting Korea’s traditional culture

All materials related to life and culture: photographs, film/video footage, documents, books, etc.

01. Application for Intention to Donate form
- The donor applies for the Intention to Donate form by calling the museum or visiting it in person.
- The museum consults with the donor and investigates the artifacts to be donated (condition, value, and other factors).
02. Artifact Acceptance and Donator Registration
- The museum accepts donated artifacts based on the evaluation made by the Donated Artifacts Evaluation Committee and its internal meetings.
- Each donated artifact is registered and the donor signs a receipt of temporary donation.
03. Acceptance Procedure
- Donated artifacts are processed and a receipt of donation is issued to the donor.
04. Registration of Artifacts as a National Property
- Registration of Artifacts

When there is doubt or controversy about the process of collection or the source of ownership of the artifact to be donated.
When the artifact to be donated is too severely damaged to be considered a valuable cultural property.
When a donor proposes conditions that are deemed unacceptable.

A donated artifact is designated as a Folk Relic in accordance with the Rules on Relics Regulation and permanently preserved.
A donated artifact is prioritized for display when a special exhibition related to the donated artifact is organized.
Upon reviewing the quantity and value of donated artifacts, a special exhibition may be planned.
When a donated artifact is highly valued as a cultural property, its designation as an Important Folk Material may be considered.

Donors are invited to important events at the National Folk Museum of Korea and issued with a membership card.
When a donated material is highly valued as a cultural property, a citation, a medal of honor or an award may be considered.
When a portrait is donated, a reproduction can be made of it and presented to the donor if he or she so wishes.

Contact the Department of Relics at the National Folk Museum of Korea at ☎ 031-580-5813.