Culture Ministry to increase funding for art projects, support more artists next year

Culture Minister Yu In-chon speaks the ministry's key strategies for 2024 on Thursday at the Modu Art Theater in Seodaemun District, western Seoul. [YONHAP]

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Thursday it will move away from one-time, small grants distributed to a wide range of artists toward more targeted and impactful support for large-scale projects over the years.

The shift aims to enhance the capabilities of the art world and bolster the country's cultural presence on the global stage, the ministry said as it announced a set of innovative strategies for the culture-arts sector.

Under the new approach, the average government funding per art project will significantly increase from 30 million won ($23,297) this year to 100 million won by 2027.

The government also plans to increase the percentage of projects receiving funding for multiple years from 15 percent in 2024 to 25 percent in 2027, allowing artists to continue working on their works that require years of effort in a more stable manner.

Support for young artists will also be significantly strengthened.

The government will introduce a "youth culture and arts pass" next year that allows individuals aged 19 to attend performances and exhibitions for free within a maximum limit of 150,000 won per person.

Also included was indirect support, such as providing more free workspaces to those engaged in the fields of literature, visual arts, and performing arts and expanding internship opportunities at national arts organizations by three times or more in 2024.