The Korsaks’ Museum of Modern Ukrainian Art has received one of the seven prestigious awards of the European Museum of the Year Award 2025 in the Special Commendations category

The Korsaks’ Museum of Ukrainian Modern Art has received the prestigious European Museum of the Year Award 2025.

 

Lutsk, May 2025 — The Korsaks’ Museum of Ukrainian Modern Art has won the prestigious European Museum of the Year Award 2025 (EMYA), receiving one of seven Special Commendations from the European Museum Forum jury.

 

This award is given to museum that demonstrates a special commitment to addressing the challenges of the modern world through cultural practices. The judges’ decision emphasizes:

“The second Special Commendation was awarded to the museum which shows dedication to rediscovering forgotten artists and facilitating discussions about the impact of totalitarianism on artistic expression. Its exhibitions invite visitors to reflect on art’s profound role in society and its potential to foster free thought and diverse perspectives. The museum’s emphasis on accessibility and efforts to preserve cultural identity are particularly relevant in today’s geopolitical context, alongside its commitment to promoting and supporting new artistic creation during a time of global uncertainty.”

 

In 2025, 42 museums from 18 member states of the Council of Europe were nominated for the EMYA award. The Korsaks’ Museum of Ukrainian Modern Art is the only representative of Ukraine among the nominees. During the summer and autumn of 2024, members of the international jury visited each museum, often more than once.

In particular, in October 2024, the Korsaks’ Museum was visited by Amina Krvavac, chair of the EMYA2025 jury and director of the Museum of War Childhood (Sarajevo, Montenegro). She was deeply impressed by the concept and activities of the Korsaks’ Museum, calling it “a unique space that combines contemporary art with national identity.”

The European Museum of the Year Award (EMYA) was established in 1977 and is awarded annually by the European Museum Forum under the patronage of the Council of Europe. It recognizes the most innovative, interesting, and significant museums that make a major contribution to cultural exchange and social dialogue in Europe.

The annual EMYA2025 conference and award ceremony took place from May 21 to 25, 2025, in Białystok, Poland, at the Sybir Memorial Museum, winner of the Council of Europe Museum Prize in 2024. The event brought together representatives of the museum community from around the world, including former EMYA nominees, partners, and friends.

Special awards were also given to museums from Aarhus (Denmark), Istanbul (Turkey), Budapest (Hungary), Vienna (Austria), Athens (Greece), and Arnhem (Netherlands).

The special award given to the Korsaks’ Museum by EMYA2025 is a landmark event for Ukrainian culture and museums This highlights the significance of contemporary Ukrainian art in the global cultural context, as well as confirmation of the high standards of work and innovative approach of the KMUMA.

 

About the Korsaks’ Museum of Ukrainian Modern Art

 

The Korsaks’ Museum of Ukrainian Modern Art (KMUMA) was opened on August 24, 2018, in Lutsk. Its collection includes over 6,000 works of contemporary Ukrainian art — from paintings and sculptures to installations, video art, and augmented reality exhibitions. In six years of operation, the museum has implemented over 300 exhibition projects, welcomes over 100,000 visitors annually, and actively develops social, educational, and inclusive programs.

On May 30 at 5:00 PM, the Korsaks’ Museum of Modern Ukrainian Art will open the exhibition “KharBarBond. The Sign of Mariupol.”

On May 30 at 5:00 PM, the Korsaks’ Museum of Modern Ukrainian Art will open the exhibition “KharBarBond” featuring artists: Volodymyr Kharakoz, Serhii Barannik, and Oleksandr Bondarenko.

The exhibition explores the balance between the conscious and the unconscious, creating a space for emotional expression through line, color, and composition.

Admission is free. You are warmly invited !!!

Location:

Lutsk, 1 Ivana Korsaka Street

Korsaks’ Museum of Modern Ukrainian Art

Opening hours:

• Mon-Fri: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM

• Sat-Sun: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Contact number:

+380 66 142 51 18

Night at the Korsaks’ Museum — May 17, 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM 🌒

Night at the Korsaks’ Museum

May 17, 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM

 Korsaks’ Museum of Modern Ukrainian Art

Every location — a unique space of experience:

  • Flashlight Tours through the night museum and the Cosmogony exhibition.

  • Yoga Among Art — tranquility, breath, and silence surrounded by the paintings of artist Lyudmyla Davydenko.

  • Tea Ceremony — a ritual of calm and presence.

  • Performances & Happenings — become a participant, step into the art space, and interact with performers.

  • Life Drawing — explore the human body as a form of art.

  • Photography Workshop — hands-on experience in a real photo lab.

  • Film Screening & Discussion — cinema that resonates.

  • Workshops for Kids and Adults — create your own art objects.

  • Artist-Led Workshops — open practices and live dialogue.

  • Live Music — the sound of art.

  • Food Court & DJ Sets — taste and rhythm to fuel your night.

  • Art & Craft Fair — handmade goods and merchandise from contemporary Ukrainian artists.

Entry: 200 UAH

See you at the Korsaks’ Museum on Saturday, May 17, at 5:00 PM!

An art soirée with Volodymyr Bovkun will take place at the Korsaks’ Museum on May 16 at 5:00 PM.

Art Soirée with Volodymyr Bovkun at the Korsaks’ Museum

On May 16 at 5:00 PM, the Korsaks’ Museum will host an art soirée with Volodymyr Bovkun — an event held within the framework of the exhibition project “TRANS.”

This is a unique opportunity to meet the artist in person, learn more about his artistic approach, and ask your questions.

Free admission. Everyone is welcome!

Location:

Lutsk, 1 Ivana Korsaka Street

Korsaks’ Museum of Modern Ukrainian Art

+38 (066) 142 51 18

On May 14 at 5:00 PM, the Korsaks’ Museum will host the opening of the exhibition project “To Inner Fears” by Vladyslav Lebid as part of the youth art platform ENTER.

On May 14, at 17:00, the Korsak Museum will host the opening of Vladyslav Lebid’s exhibition project «To Inner Fears» as part of the youth art platform «ENTER» 

We invite you to the event!

Lutsk, 1 Ivan Korsak str.

Opening hours:
Mon-Fri: 12:00-20:00
Sat-Sun: 11:00-20:00
Phone: 066 142 51 18

(Українська) 2 травня о 17:00 у Музеї Корсаків відкриється виставковий проєкт Василя Дмитрика “not to open, stored forever”

Sorry, this entry is only available in Українська.

Lecture “A Brief History of Ukrainian Photography: From the 1970s to Today,” April 22 at 5:00 PM

On April 22 at 5:00 PM, the Korsaks’ Museum of Modern Ukrainian Art will host the lecture “A Brief History of Ukrainian Photography: From the 1970s to Today.”

During the lecture, we will explore the stages of development of Ukrainian photography. We will look at examples of how photography became an alternative language when censorship dominated the official media space, and trace the connections between the country’s history and the history of photography.

The lecturer is Kateryna Radchenko — photography researcher, curator, and founder of the international festival Odesa Photo Days.

Entry is free.

On April 25 at 5:00 PM, the exhibition “TRANS” by artist Volodymyr Bovkun will open at the Korsaks’ Museum.

At this exhibition, the artist will present works from the last five years — a visualization of the vibrations perceived by his membrane. These are works without “black colors,” as there is always a color that needs to be listened to.

Volodymyr Bovkun is not searching for a niche in art — he is creating one. His art does not require titles; it demands presence and deep immersion into the material. As he himself says, “I don’t work — I perform shamanism.”

Exhibition curator: Kateryna Mykhailyuk.

We invite you to experience art that must be felt.

(Українська) Мистецьке суаре з Василем Бедеєм 11 квітня о 17:00

Sorry, this entry is only available in Українська.

(Українська) 10 квітня о 17:00 у Музеї сучасного українського мистецтва Корсаків — Slow Art Day

Sorry, this entry is only available in Українська.

Заявка