[2025 Audit] Local Performance Support Project "Monopolized by Select Organizations"

Seventy-six Organizations Account for Over Half
Concerns Raised Over "Undermining Creative Diversity"

The "Performing Arts Regional Distribution Support" project, aimed at revitalizing local performance distribution through public funding, has been found to be concentrated among a select group of organizations.

According to data released by Assemblyman Cho Gye-won of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee on October 16, out of 1,184 applications submitted to the project from 2022 to last year, only 367 organizations (about 33%) actually made it to the stage. The remaining 742 organizations, accounting for approximately 67% of the total, were never selected even once.

In contrast, during the same period, 76 organizations were selected more than five times, monopolizing 611 performances, which represents more than half (51.6%) of all performances. Thirteen organizations were selected for at least three out of the four years, and one organization was selected as many as 18 times. The remaining 573 performances were distributed among 291 organizations.

Assemblyman Cho pointed out, "If the repeated selection of certain organizations becomes entrenched, it undermines creative diversity and makes it difficult for local organizations and emerging artists to enter the field." He added, "The essence of this project is to breathe life into and balance the local arts ecosystem. Stages funded by taxpayers should become the 'first stage' for as many organizations as possible."