BTS RM and Henry Receive Art Patron Award

RM Donates 100 Million KRW to National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art for Out-of-Print Art Book Production
Henry Discovers Musical Prodigies via YouTube and Serves as Ambassador for 'Dream Orchestra'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Group BTS leader RM (Kim Namjoon) and singer Henry received the Arts Patron Award.

The Arts Council Korea selected four individuals, including them, Yoo In-taek, president of the Seoul Arts Center, and Ha Jung-woong, honorary director of the Gwangju Museum of Art, as well as six companies as this year’s Arts Patron Award recipients and presented them with trophies on the 21st.

In September, RM donated 100 million won to produce out-of-print art books for the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. The Arts Council stated, "Thanks to RM’s donation, we were able to produce out-of-print art books and donate them to over 400 public libraries and elementary, middle, and high school libraries nationwide," adding, "He has had a positive influence by expanding interest in basic arts."

Henry received high praise for discovering musical prodigies through his YouTube series "Gachi Henry," which started in March. He also serves as an ambassador for the "Dream Orchestra," a support project for children and youth orchestra education. He supports children and youth, including those from underprivileged backgrounds, to participate in cultural and artistic activities in various ways.

President Yoo In-taek conducted a crisis recovery donation campaign this year to support artists struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the first time since the opening of the Seoul Arts Center, he waived the rental fees for performance venues to ease the burden on arts organizations.

Ha Jung-woong, an honorary director and Korean resident in Japan, has donated over 12,000 artworks to museums, galleries, and universities nationwide since 1993. He collected art with the money earned from home appliance sales and rental businesses and mostly donated them to his homeland.

In the corporate sector, KT, which supported struggling small theaters in Daehangno and operated a chamber orchestra for 11 years, and OB Beer, which supported indie musicians facing difficulties due to COVID-19, received honors. Korea Electric Power Corporation, Naver TV Sponsorship Live, Shinhan Card Digital Stage, and Kakao Together Value were also recognized for their leadership in arts sponsorship throughout the year.