Government to Foster Regional Representative Art Organizations

Selected Ten Places to Receive Up to 2 Billion KRW Each
Additional Benefits Upon Passing Year-End Eligibility Review

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Arts Management Support Center are conducting a public contest for the Regional Representative Arts Group Development Support Project on the e-Naradoom website until the 24th of next month. The target is metropolitan and basic local governments excluding Seoul Special City. About ten newly established or attracted performing arts groups will be selected and supported with up to 2 billion KRW each (local government and central government share 1:1). Additional benefits will be provided if they pass the eligibility review at the end of the year.

Last year's Daegeunryeong International Music Festival scene

The contest categories include classical music (including opera), traditional arts, dance, and theater. An additional 5 points will be awarded if the group is based in a population-declining area according to the 'Special Act on Support for Population Declining Areas.' Another 5 points will be given if performance venues, rehearsal spaces, or other in-kind support can enhance outcomes. The final results will be announced in May after the review process.

The selected groups must comply with four main conditions: ▲Create or produce at least one performance ▲Hold at least six performances within the region during the year ▲Operate season members or project-based guest members ▲Systematic project management through the appointment of an artistic director.

Kang Jeong-won, Director of the Culture and Arts Policy Office at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said, "We cannot delay fostering performing arts groups based in local areas to establish a sustainable foundation for the development of our performing arts," adding, "We will explore various additional support measures to firmly root them in the regions."

Improving cultural imbalance between regions is a long-standing goal of Minister Yoo In-chon of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. In his inauguration speech last October, he pointed out, "Although South Korea's cultural and artistic community has achieved global accomplishments, the cultural and artistic infrastructure in the regions remains weak," and noted, "The gap with the metropolitan area continues to widen." In December last year, when announcing the 'Three Major Innovation Strategies and Ten Core Tasks for Culture and Arts,' he also emphasized, "As one of the strategies to innovate the public's cultural enjoyment environment, we will foster regional representative arts groups."