Boosting the Arts: South Korea Allocates 1.067 Trillion Won for Artist Welfare

Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Allocates 1.067 Trillion Won for Artist Welfare

The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism has confirmed a budget of 1.067 trillion won for artist welfare, aiming to provide support and assistance to artists in South Korea. This allocation, sourced from the Ministry’s budget, reflects the government’s commitment to fostering a thriving arts community and recognizing the value of the arts in society.

Support for Artists and Emerging Artists

The allocated budget will be utilized to support both established artists and emerging artists in their artistic endeavors. Artists with an income below 120% of the median income, which amounts to 2,674,000 won for a single-person household, will receive a support fund of 3 million won. This financial aid, known as the “Artistic Activity Preparation Fund,” aims to assist artists in their creative activities and provide them with the necessary resources.

Starting this year, there will be a change in the disbursement of artist support funds. Instead of two separate payments, artists will receive the full support fund in a single payment. This streamlined process simplifies the application procedure and ensures that artists can access the necessary funds in a timely manner.

Support for Emerging Artists

Emerging artists with an income below 120% of the median income will be eligible for the “Emerging Artist Activity Preparation Fund.” This program aims to support young artists embarking on their artistic careers by providing them with a support fund of 2 million won. This financial aid enables them to pursue their artistic aspirations and establish themselves as professional artists.

Creation of a Safe and Supportive Environment

In addition to financial support, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism also focuses on creating a safe working environment for artists. They support artists’ social insurance enrollment by operating an employment insurance enrollment center. Furthermore, they provide assistance by subsidizing 50% of the work-related accident insurance premiums and 30-50% of the national pension insurance premiums paid by artists. These measures ensure that artists receive the necessary insurance benefits and protection.

Housing and Childcare Support

The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism collaborates with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport to support artists’ housing and creative spaces. Through the Artist Public Rental Housing project, additional housing will be provided in Bukchon-dong, aiming to offer affordable housing options for artists.

Moreover, two artist-exclusive childcare centers located in Jongno-gu and Mapo-gu will continue to operate. These centers cater to the needs of artists who primarily work during evenings and weekends, alleviating their childcare burdens. Artists with children under the age of 10 can reserve childcare services at these centers and receive free childcare support during their artistic activities.

Ensuring Fair Support

The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism is committed to providing fair support to artists and continually improving policies based on feedback from the field. Their objective is to prevent duplicate support and ensure that the benefits reach artists who genuinely require assistance.

The allocation of 1.067 trillion won for artist welfare underscores the government’s dedication to promoting the prosperity of the arts and providing necessary support to artists and emerging artists. It reflects their recognition of the value of the arts in society and their commitment to nurturing artistic talent in South Korea.