"Leading the Revitalization of Craft-Based Tourism"… Gimhae Craft Creation Support Center Opens on the 9th

The Eighth National Craft Creation Support Center
Establishing a Craft Culture Industry Ecosystem in Busan and Gyeongnam Regions

The eighth hub for revitalizing the local craft culture industry is opening in Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Craft and Design Foundation announced on the 9th that the 'Gimhae Craft Creation Support Center' will officially open.
[Photo by Korea Craft and Design Foundation]

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Craft & Design Foundation announced on the 9th that the 'Gimhae Craft Creation Support Center' will officially open.

The 'Gimhae Craft Creation Support Center' was newly designated this year through the craft creation support center public contest project. It was established by remodeling the Ceramic Creation Center building of the existing Clayarch Gimhae Museum of Art. It has prepared infrastructure to support local craftspeople and revitalize the local craft industry in various fields such as creation, start-up, education, promotion, distribution, and facilities (equipment).

Equipped with existing specialized equipment as well as digital devices and a wood-fired kiln, the center reorganized its personnel and organization to newly establish the operation system of the craft creation support center. Additionally, it plans to collaborate extensively with nearby cultural and artistic institutions such as the Gimhae Buncheong Ceramic Museum, Gimhae Ceramic Small Business Specialized Support Center, and Gimhae Buncheong Ceramic Festival. By utilizing the overseas networks of these institutions, it aims to support local craftspeople's overseas expansion and promote tourism based on local crafts.

Since 2019, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Craft & Design Foundation have been implementing the 'Regional Craft Creation Support Center Operation Support Project' to build a self-sustaining local craft ecosystem and achieve balanced regional development through culture. Prior to the Gimhae Craft Creation Support Center, seven other centers have been actively operating nationwide in Gyeonggi, Jeonnam, Jinju, Asan, Jeongeup, Seoul, and Cheongju (in order of establishment), making a total of eight craft creation support centers across the country.

Jang Dong-kwang, president of the Korea Craft & Design Foundation, said, “We expect the Gimhae Craft Creation Support Center to serve as an incubator providing professional education to emerging craftspeople in the Busan and Gyeongnam regions and as a central institution researching convergence among craft fields.” He added, “We will provide multifaceted support so that the craft creation support centers located nationwide can become the core hubs of local craft culture industries.”