Ministry of Culture Supports 20,000 Artists with 60 Billion KRW for Art Activity Preparation Funds

Below 120% of Median Income, 3 Million Won Per Person

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Artists Welfare Foundation announced on the 1st that they will provide 60 billion KRW in preparation funds for artistic activities to 20,000 artists.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Artist Welfare Foundation will provide 60 billion won in preparation funds for artistic activities to 20,000 artists.
[Photo by Korea Artist Welfare Foundation website]

The preparation funds for artistic activities are a project designed to support artists so they can continue their activities. This year, 60 billion KRW has been allocated to support 20,000 artists whose income is at or below 120% of the median income (2,674,134 KRW for a single-person household), providing 3 million KRW per person.

This year, instead of distributing the funds twice a year in the first and second halves, the payment will be made once in the first half to 20,000 artists. This change allows artists to continue their artistic activities freely throughout the year without being restricted by timing.

Eligible artists can apply from the 4th to the 30th through the artistic activity preparation fund system or by mail. Detailed information can be found in the project announcement on the Welfare Foundation’s website.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has introduced a scoring system based on selection history to enable more artists to receive the preparation funds. By differentiating scores according to the number of times previously selected, the system prevents concentration of support on a few and broadly supports artists who have not benefited before. Those who have never been selected before can receive the maximum score of 4 points. One point is deducted for each selection history, and applicants selected four or more times will receive 0 points.

The 'priority selection system' for senior artists has been changed to a 'bonus point system.' Along with age preference, income conditions and selection history are comprehensively considered to ensure that benefits go to artists who truly need them. The priority selection system for disabled artists remains unchanged. The existing biennial eligibility condition also applies, so those who received creative preparation funds in 2023 cannot apply.

Shin Eun-hyang, Director of Arts Policy at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said, "The preparation funds for artistic activities are a project aimed at artists who are forced to suspend their activities due to difficult circumstances or find it hard to fully realize their achievements. We will continue to improve the system so that these funds encourage artists’ creative passion and serve as a foundation for producing excellent works."