Ministry of Culture Signs Agreement with 11 Organizations to Expand "Culture Day"

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on the afternoon of March 18 that it will sign a "Business Agreement for the Expansion of Culture Day" with 11 major related organizations representing the culture, arts, and economic sectors at Art Korea Lab. Starting from April 1, Culture Day, which was previously held on the last Wednesday of each month, will be expanded and implemented every Wednesday.

The organizations participating in this agreement ceremony (in alphabetical order) include the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Council for Cultural Cities, National Association of Regional Cultural Foundations, Korea Federation of SMEs, Korean Library Association, Korea Mecenat Association, Korea Musical Theatre Association, Korean Museum Association, Korean Private Museum Association, Korea Association of Bookstore Cooperatives, and the Federation of Korean Regional Cultural Foundations.

The Ministry stated that active participation and cooperation from both the public and private sectors are essential to establish Culture Day. It added that it will closely collaborate with the private sector to secure momentum for the initiative and broaden opportunities for citizens to enjoy culture.

Participating organizations will autonomously operate "Culture Day" programs tailored to their industries and characteristics, and will also build an organic cooperation system. In addition to offering a variety of cultural programs such as exhibitions, performances, and education, they will cooperate in providing spaces and facilities for program operation, and will prepare visitor benefits such as discounts and souvenir gifts. Moreover, they plan to jointly promote and support marketing through their respective online and offline channels.

Major national art institutions across the country will add specialized content to their existing benefits every Wednesday to make it a "day of cultural relaxation." The National Museum of Korea will offer "Conversations with Curators," and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art will provide in-depth viewing experiences through educational programs linked to the "Damien Hirst" special exhibition. Wellness and humanities programs reflecting the latest cultural trends will also be offered, such as the "Rest Area Singing Bowl Meditation & Yoga Experience" at the National Cheongju Museum, "Monthly Humanities Meeting" at the National Library of Korea, and "Yesterday and Today of Generative AI" at the National Sejong Library. The National Buyeo Museum will run the "Wednesday Incense Burner Doctor" program, while the National Gugak Center Orchestra will offer the children's concert "Shinnarak Mannarak." The National Jeongdong Theater will present the play "Kyrie" and the traditional performance "Gwangdae," and the National Theater Company of Korea will offer discounts of 20–30% on major performances such as "Banya Ajae."

National Museum of Korea Calligraphy Room. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The Korean Library Association, Korean Museum Association, and Korean Private Museum Association will expand opportunities for exhibition appreciation accompanied by expert commentary, in addition to existing cultural benefits and daily enjoyment programs such as reading and hands-on experiences. Small-scale planned events that connect local artists with citizens for direct communication will also be held nationwide.

In collaboration with 17 metropolitan and 144 local cultural foundations across the country, programs highlighting hidden regional attractions will be offered. Every Wednesday, "2026 Busking Day" will be held in squares throughout old downtown areas, such as the Seogwipo Chilsimni Outdoor Stage in Jeju. Small community group activities centered on local hubs will also become more active. Starting in May, in cooperation with the Korea Association of Bookstore Cooperatives, a variety of programs, such as "Late Night Bookstores" and "Book Talks" at neighborhood bookstores, will be offered to residents.

The private performing arts sector will also join efforts to expand the public's right to enjoy culture. The Korea Musical Theatre Association will provide discounts on tickets and special same-day discounts for remaining seats for works by major performance companies such as Show Note, S&CO, CJ ENM, OD Company, ACOM, and EMK Musical Company. Cinemas will independently decide whether to offer additional benefits based on their own circumstances. In professional volleyball and basketball, selected teams plan to offer ticket discounts starting next season to better accommodate spectators.

Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun Branch. Yonhap News Agency

Online culture enjoyment programs will also be expanded. The Ministry, in cooperation with Kyobo Bookstore, will offer a 50% reduction in e-book rental fees and e-cash refunds for one popular book every Wednesday starting in April, and will further expand the scope in May through the "Reading Korea" campaign.

Major economic organizations such as the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Korea Federation of SMEs, and Korea Mecenat Association will take the lead in fostering a culture-friendly atmosphere in the workplace and expanding corporate cultural contribution initiatives. The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Korea Federation of SMEs will actively promote the "Culture Day" campaign and encourage member companies nationwide to participate by recognizing every Wednesday as a day to enjoy culture. The Korea Mecenat Association will organically link existing corporate social contribution activities with "Culture Day," supporting more frequent corporate-sponsored performances and exhibitions. CJ Cultural Foundation, marking its 20th anniversary, will present performances and cultural talks every Wednesday in April at CJ Azit, Mapo-gu, Seoul.

Detailed information related to the expanded implementation of Culture Day can be found at the official Culture Day website at the end of March. The official Instagram account will provide weekly cultural information and host new events. Private organizations wishing to participate in Culture Day programs can register at any time through the official website.

Vice Minister Kim Youngsoo of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism stated, "For Culture Day, which will be expanded to every Wednesday, to become established, cooperation with private organizations is the key to success." He added, "With various organizations from the culture, arts, and economic sectors joining forces, we will expand support to ensure that everyone in the country can enjoy diverse cultural experiences every Wednesday without burden."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.