“Record-high 93.9 billion won”: Applications open for Arts and Culture Promotion Fund grants, with stronger support at every stage of artists’ careers

[The Financial News] Arts Council Korea (ARKO) is opening applications for its 2027 Arts and Culture Promotion Fund open call program, which will provide a record-high 93.9 billion won.
It has strengthened tailored support based on artists’ career stages and revamped its support system to take the entire basic arts ecosystem into account. It has also added convenient features, including an “AI information chatbot” and a “Find an Open Call That Fits” service.
According to ARKO on the 8th, this open call covers six areas: entry into the field, literature, visual arts, multidisciplinary arts, performing arts, and international exchange. Applications can be submitted through the National Culture and Arts Support System (NCAS) from that day until 3 p.m. on November 5.

The 2027 Arts and Culture Promotion Fund open call has a total budget of 93.9 billion won, up 33.7 billion won from 60.3 billion won in 2026. ARKO plans to expand direct support for artists’ creative activities while providing comprehensive backing for the foundations of the basic arts ecosystem, including creative spaces in literature, visual arts, and performing arts, as well as criticism and research. In particular, it will increase the international exchange support budget to at least 2.5 times its previous level, focusing on helping domestic basic arts creators and outstanding works reach overseas audiences and broadening opportunities to work on the international stage.
Tailored support based on artists’ career stages will also be strengthened. The budget for aspiring artists will increase to 12.7 billion won, expanding opportunities to gain hands-on experience. The employment support budget for creative and performing arts workers will also rise to 16.7 billion won, with a total of 690 people expected to receive support.
The existing “Young Artist Leap Support” program will be divided into four genre-specific programs starting in 2027. Its budget will also increase 1.7-fold, from 1.61 billion won to 2.8 billion won. Moving away from the previous age-based criterion of 34, the eligibility criteria and support offerings will be revised to reflect the characteristics of each genre.
Starting in January 2027, open calls will be held according to each program’s schedule, beginning with the performing arts script competition under ARKO Selection, followed by Literary Space Activation Support, Performing Arts Venue Rental Fee Support, Support for Developing Signature Works in Partnership with Performance Venues, and Strengthening Inbound International Cooperation. A new 7.6 billion won program, “Support for Developing Signature Works in Partnership with Performance Venues,” will also be introduced.

An “AI information chatbot” will be launched starting on the 12th. Applicants will also be able to use the “Find an Open Call That Fits” service, which immediately identifies programs they can apply for based on a brief entry of their eligibility requirements.
ARKO has also revised its “Responsible AI Use” guidelines in response to changes in the creative field. It has broadened the definition of AI to include agentic AI, which autonomously performs some parts of the creative process, in addition to generative AI, and set out a definition and basic principles for “responsible AI.” Under the principle that human artists remain at the center of creation, applicants are advised to disclose in their applications if they used AI. However, the mere fact that AI was used will not earn or incur points during the review process. Review committee members are prohibited from entering applications or other evaluation materials into AI systems.
Lee Beom-heon, chair of ARKO, said, “With a record-high support budget allocated, 2027 marks an important turning point in building a sustainable basic arts ecosystem. We will provide robust support for the arts community so that open call programs foster artists’ creativity and growth and lead to richer cultural experiences for the public.”
[email protected] Shin Jin-a Reporter