Yeongdeungpo-gu Provides Emergency Creative Support Fund of 400,000 KRW per Cultural Artist

Preparing Support Measures for Local Artists (Groups), Allocating 250 Million KRW... Emergency Creative Support Fund: Up to 400,000 KRW per Individual, 5 Million KRW per Group... Apply by the 12th

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Yeongdeungpo-gu (District Mayor Chae Hyun-il) is urgently injecting 250 million KRW from the district budget to support local cultural artists and organizations as cultural and artistic activities have stagnated due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

To prevent COVID-19 infection, the 'Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival,' which started in 2005, was canceled for the first time in 16 years, and various exhibitions and performances were temporarily suspended, worsening the economic difficulties of cultural artists.

Accordingly, the district has prepared support measures such as △Emergency Creation Grants △Art Bank △Local Win-Win Cultural Cooperation △Artist Loans for artists, activists, program or space planners, and cultural arts instructors active in the area.

First, to revitalize cultural and artistic activities, the district will provide emergency creation grants of 400,000 KRW per individual and up to 5 million KRW per organization.

This grant can be used for various art fields such as visual arts, performing arts research, multi-disciplinary arts, and literature for creation preparation funds, content production costs, labor costs, and space operation expenses.

Applications are available through the Yeongdeungpo Cultural Foundation website (www.ydpcf.or.kr) until the 12th, with recipients announced on the 17th and funds distributed starting on the 21st.

Second, through the 'Art Bank,' which exhibits artworks in public institutions such as community centers and welfare centers, the district provides opportunities for residents to enjoy culture. Local artists can promote their works and generate income by receiving rental fees for their artworks.

Third, artists will transform streets lined with shops into more attractive areas by adding cultural and artistic sensibilities through signboard design, mural painting, street performances, etc., creating a win-win solution for small business owners and artists.

Lastly, loans with a low interest rate of 1.5% will be provided to local artists up to 1 million KRW per individual and 5 million KRW per organization. This is a result of an MOU signed between the Yeongdeungpo Cultural Foundation and Daerim-dong MG Saemaeul Geumgo, and the loan can be freely repaid by the end of the year.

For more information about the emergency support policy for artists, please refer to the announcement on the Yeongdeungpo Cultural Foundation website (www.ydpcf.or.kr) or contact by phone (☎2629-2217, 2213).

Chae Hyun-il, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, stated, “We have prepared an emergency support policy for artists struggling with creative activities due to COVID-19,” and added, “We will do our best to prepare support measures so that artists can make the local community more beautiful.”