Government budget for program raised 50% to 1.8 billion won next year

Support cap for large-cast performances raised; production staff coverage expanded

A performance at the National Dance Festival. [Seoul Metropolitan Government]
A performance at the National Dance Festival. [Seoul Metropolitan Government]

The government is opening applications for a program that helps Korean artists perform and exhibit abroad.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange will accept applications for the first round of the 2027 K-arts on the Go program from Nov. 16 to Nov. 23. Eligible applicants include nonprofit performing arts organizations based in Korea and Korean visual artists and nonprofit groups planning performances or exhibitions scheduled for 2027 or 2028. Applications are submitted through the National Culture and Arts Support System (NCAS), with results to be announced Dec. 9.

K-arts on the Go covers airfare and artwork shipping costs for Korean artists invited by overseas venues, exhibition spaces and festivals listed in the program's platform directory. In its inaugural year of 2025, the program supported 54 of 83 applications; in 2026, it supported 61 of 105.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has set the program's government budget for next year at 1.8 billion won ($1.34 million), a 50 percent increase from this year's 1.2 billion won, to further strengthen support for artists seeking to go abroad.

Under next year's round, the support cap for large-cast performances involving 11 or more participants will rise from 30 million won to a maximum of 40 million won.

Coverage for production staff — beyond cast members and artists — needed to run performances and exhibitions will also be expanded. Performing arts applicants may request support for up to four production staff members, while visual arts applicants may request up to two.

The ministry will also introduce a comprehensive review of the platform directory to improve its reliability. Each listed platform will be assessed on its actual operating status and its contribution to helping Korean artists reach overseas audiences; those that fail to meet the criteria will be removed from the directory after a grace period and other required procedures. Artists may also propose new platforms for listing if a venue they wish to work with is not already registered.

For 2027, the ministry plans to hold three application rounds in total — the current round, followed by a second in March and a third in July.

Kim Hyeon-jun, the ministry's director general for international cultural policy, said the government would "further strengthen support through K-arts on the Go — which eases the administrative burden on artists and backs their overseas endeavors — so that our cultural artists can meet audiences abroad with outstanding work." Kim also urged Korean artists to take an active interest in and apply for the 2027 rounds.


pink@heraldcorp.com