20,000 Artists to Receive 3 Million Won Each as 'Art Activity Preparation Fund'

3000 Emerging Artists Also Receive 2 Million Won Each

The government will provide art activity preparation funds to approximately 23,000 artists.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, which has allocated 106.7 billion won for artist welfare this year, revealed detailed welfare project plans on the 8th. The most eye-catching support is undoubtedly the art activity preparation fund. About 20,000 artists with an income below 120% of the median income (2,674,000 won for a single-person household) based on the Korea Artist Welfare Foundation certification will receive 3 million won each. Until last year, the payment was divided into two installments, but this year it will be given in a single payment. This early payment is intended to help artists focus on their activities. To emphasize the purpose of supporting the preparation period for artistic activities, the project name was changed from 'Creative Preparation Fund' to 'Art Activity Preparation Fund.'

Support will also be provided to about 3,000 emerging artists below 120% of the median income (based on Korea Artist Welfare Foundation certification). They will receive 2 million won each to help them not give up on their artistic dreams and establish themselves as professional artists. A Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism official said, "This benefit can be received only once in a lifetime and will serve as a stepping stone for those starting their artistic activities."

The ministry also supports social insurance enrollment to ensure a safe creative environment for artists. It operates guidance centers for artists to enroll in employment insurance and subsidizes 50% of their industrial accident insurance premiums and 30-50% of their national pension premiums. The 'Artist-themed Public Rental Housing (Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul)' project, which housed 60 artist households last August, will continue. Applications for residents will be accepted until June, and in cooperation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, 96 additional units will be supplied in Bukgajwa-dong.

Two artist child care centers (Bandi Child Care Center and Artist Child Care Center) that alleviate the childcare burden for artists working at night and on weekends will also continue to operate. Artists with children aged 24 months to 10 years can receive free childcare during their artistic activities through prior reservation.