The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister Yu In-chon) has joined hands with the Korea Arts & Culture Education Service (President Park Eun-sil) to launch a significant initiative aimed at expanding opportunities for working individuals to engage in culture and the arts. The two organizations have announced a pilot project to partially subsidize arts education expenses for culture and arts clubs within companies, titled the ‘Lifestyle Arts Club Activation Pilot Project.’

This pilot project is anticipated to be welcome news for employees who seek to find vitality in their lives through artistic activities and develop their creative capabilities amidst their busy routines. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism expects this project to promote the voluntary growth and activation of workplace culture and arts clubs, ultimately fostering a positive impact on the overall corporate culture.

Companies wishing to participate in the pilot project can do so by responding to a demand survey conducted through the Korea Arts & Culture Education Service website (www.arte.or.kr) from April 22nd to April 30th. This survey aims to understand the desired fields and scale of education support for existing or new arts clubs within companies, and the collected data will serve as crucial foundational information for selecting beneficiaries and designing customized programs in the future.

Diverse Fields of Support Including Music, Dance, Crafts, and Humanities… Priority for Companies Supporting Families

Through this pilot project, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism plans to select approximately 200 to 300 clubs and provide each with 30% of their education expenses, with a minimum support of 1.05 million KRW. The supported fields encompass a wide range of artistic pursuits, including music (bands, choirs, orchestras), dance (line dance, K-pop dance, ballet), crafts (pottery, knitting), and humanities (literature, film). This comprehensive approach reflects careful consideration to ensure that employees can receive support for diverse artistic activities that align with their individual tastes and interests.

To enhance the professionalism of the education provided, the project will prioritize connecting clubs with experienced and qualified instructors, such as school art instructors and certified cultural and arts educators. This emphasis on systematic arts education, beyond mere hobby support, underscores the Ministry’s commitment to substantially strengthening the capabilities of club members.

Furthermore, when selecting participating companies, priority will be given to those certified as family-friendly and leisure-friendly. Remaining slots will be offered to small, medium, and venture companies. This prioritization aligns with the pilot project’s objective of enabling citizens to enjoy healthy leisure activities through culture and arts education in their daily lives, thus giving precedence to companies actively supporting their employees’ leisure pursuits.

To encourage greater participation from companies, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will strengthen collaboration with relevant organizations such as the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and the Korea Venture Business Association, actively promoting the project’s details. Additionally, plans are underway to operate various special programs to enhance interaction and cooperation among clubs, fostering synergistic effects.

Holding an Outstanding Clubs Showcase… Linking with the ‘Culture and Arts Education Festival’ to Create a Platform for Participation and Sharing

Outstanding clubs that have improved their skills through professional arts education provided by this pilot project will be given a special opportunity to showcase their talents. A showcase featuring various forms of performances and exhibitions, such as concerts, choral performances, and craft displays, is planned in conjunction with the ‘Culture and Arts Education Festival’ to be held in November.

This showcase will not only serve as a platform to share the achievements of outstanding clubs but will also be designed as a festival where anyone interested in culture and arts education, not just project participants, can participate and enjoy. It is anticipated that this will broaden communication and empathy through culture and the arts, contributing to a positive perception of participation in everyday culture and the arts.

A policy official from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism emphasized, “This Lifestyle Arts Club Pilot Project will play a crucial role in providing practical opportunities for individuals who have had difficulty participating in culture and arts education due to time and financial constraints to enjoy culture and the arts in their daily lives.” The official further stated, “We plan to thoroughly analyze the outcomes of the pilot project and gradually expand its scope by increasing the number of beneficiary companies in the future, as well as supporting local arts clubs in connection with local governments.”

This pilot project is expected to enhance the cultural quality of life for working individuals and contribute to the creation of a healthy and creative organizational culture. With the active support of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Arts & Culture Education Service, it is hoped that culture and arts clubs within companies will thrive, spreading the positive energy of culture and the arts throughout society.