[2023 Cultural Arts Education Festival] ① Over 180 Events Nationwide... 100,000 Participants Celebrate Success

The Korea Arts & Culture Education Service announced on the 31st that the '2023 Korea Arts & Culture Education Festival,' which comprehensively showcased the achievements of cultural and arts education sites nationwide, was successfully concluded.

Throughout November, over 180 events including performances, exhibitions, forums, campaigns, and contests were held across the country, with a total participation of more than 100,000 people. Hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and organized by the Korea Arts & Culture Education Service, the event was supported by 17 regional cultural and arts education support centers from across the nation.

◆ Cultural Arts Enjoyed by All Ages = The event was diversely organized to allow participation from people of all ages. The 'Dream Orchestra' and 'Dream Dance Team,' composed of children and adolescents, performed music, dance, and choreography at over 70 locations nationwide. The 'Kkumdarag Arts School,' made up of senior citizens, communicated with audiences through the theater project 'Before It's Too Late.'

The 'Dream Orchestra' is performing the opening concert at the 'International Conference for Discussing the Future Direction of the Dream Orchestra,' held on the 2nd of last month at S Factory in Seongdong-gu, Seoul. Started in 2010, the 'Dream Orchestra' is an orchestra education program aimed at children.
[Photo by Korea Arts & Culture Education Service]

Additionally, a 'Special Lecture on Arts and Culture Education,' themed on the comfort and healing that art brings to daily life, was conducted in collaboration with CBS's program '15 Minutes to Change the World.' Other highlights included the celebrity lecture program for office workers, 'Arte Arts Education Book Talk,' 'Urban Forest Art Healing' held at the National Arboretums in Gangneung and Sejong, and the workshop 'Dream Flight' organized with Korea Airports Corporation. The dance performance 'Mu:m Dance,' which conveyed messages of unity and communication among all ages, was conducted under the direction of ballerina Kim Juwon.

◆ Discussing the Future Direction of Arts Education for All Life Stages = Forums where experts from various fields discussed the meaning and direction of arts education were also held. At the opening ceremony, the 'Future Arts Education Forum' addressed themes such as expanding cultural arts enjoyment and transforming arts education, while the 'Student-Centered Future Vision Series Forum on Arts Education' discussed development directions and practical measures for school arts education aligned with future education and social environments.

In the forum sharing achievements on social cultural arts education policy projects for the public, discussions focused on the achievements, significance, and future directions of projects implemented regionally across all life stages, including the 'Dream Orchestra,' 'Kkumdarag Arts School,' 'Creative Arts Education Lab,' and the 'Arts Education Specialist Field Capacity Building Project.'

The opening event of the '2023 Korea Culture and Arts Education Festival,' the 'Future Culture and Arts Education Forum,' was held on the 1st of last month at S Factory in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, under the theme of expanding the enjoyment of culture and arts and transforming culture and arts education.
[Photo by Korea Arts & Culture Education Service]

◆ Encouraging Contributors to Arts Education at the '2023 Korea Arts & Culture Education Awards' = At the awards ceremony held on the 1st at the National Theater's Haneul Theater, a total of 22 trophies were presented.

These included seven commendations from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism for outstanding contributions to the development of arts education, as well as commendations and certificates of appreciation from the Korea Arts & Culture Education Service President, the Shinhan Bank Institutional Group Award, and the Korea Educational Broadcasting System (EBS) President's Award, which were given to various arts education entities (institutions, organizations, and individuals).

Park Eun-sil, President of the Korea Arts & Culture Education Service, stated, "Through the inaugural '2023 Korea Arts & Culture Education Festival,' everyone was able to feel the power and necessity of arts education in our society. We are grateful for the high interest and participation shown in the festival and will continue to expand arts education policies centered on the enjoyment of the public."