The Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture is launching the “2026 Seoul Connect Stage,” a performance-centered creative support program for soon-to-be graduates of arts universities.
The Seoul Connect Stage targets aspiring artists in three genres: theater, dance, and traditional arts. Beginning with the opening ceremony on January 26, a total of 27 teams of young aspiring performing artists (from 16 universities, 169 participants) will present their works through February 13. These young aspiring artists were selected through an open call for university students majoring in the arts who are scheduled to graduate nationwide in February.
The selected young aspiring artists will receive comprehensive support for entering the arts scene, including access to performance venues and rehearsal spaces, a performance fee of up to 5 million won, integrated publicity and networking opportunities, mentoring from industry experts, and reviews from professionals and audiences.
Their works will be presented as follows: theater at the Seoul Theater Creation Center (January 29-February 13), dance at the Seoul Arts Education Center Eunpyeong (February 7-8), and traditional performances at the Seoul Arts Education Center Gangbuk (February 6-7). It will be released at these venues.
The opening ceremony on January 26 will be attended by the 27 teams of selected artists, professional arts organizations such as the Seoul Metropolitan Theatre Company and Seoul Metropolitan Dance Company, as well as senior artists including theater director Kang Hoon-gu and dancer Lee Ruda. The ceremony will feature a welcoming event for young artists, a special conversation between Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and the aspiring artists, and a special stage presented by the selected artists. During the conversation titled “Youth Ask, Seoul Answers,” aspiring artists will participate directly, sharing policy directions and stories from the field to help make Seoul a city where it is good to pursue the arts.
The Seoul Connect Stage was established to support young artists who struggle to find jobs related to their majors after graduating from colleges of arts and physical education. According to the “2024 Higher Education Institution Graduate Employment Statistics” released by the Ministry of Education, there are 74,064 graduates from arts and physical education colleges, but only about 14,000-roughly 18%-continue their own creative activities or work as freelancers.
Song Hyeongjong, CEO of the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, stated, “At the pre-workshop ‘Tremor, Connection’ held at the Youth Arts Center on January 12, we witnessed enthusiastic support and positive feedback from the young aspiring artists for this program,” adding, “The Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture will continue to serve as a strong support for these young artists, bridging policy gaps and helping them transition smoothly from university to the professional arts scene.”
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