Culture Ministry Opens K-Arts On the Go Call to Support Airfare and Transport for Performances and Exhibitions Invited Abroad

Applications accepted through November 23... airfare and transportation costs supported
Budget set at KRW 1.8 billion, up 50% from this year
Support cap for performances with 11 or more participants raised to KRW 40 million

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said on November 9 that it will hold the first call for applications for the 2027 K-Arts On the Go program, which supports airfare and artwork transportation costs for performances and exhibitions invited overseas, in cooperation with the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange.

The call is open to performances and exhibitions scheduled to take place overseas in 2027 and 2028. The program will expand the scope and scale of its support to help Korean artists and arts organizations gain opportunities abroad. Applications will be accepted through the National Culture and Arts Support System (NCAS) from November 16 to 23.

K-Arts On the Go supports airfare and artwork transportation costs incurred when Korean artists and arts organizations are invited to platforms overseas, including renowned performing arts venues, exhibition spaces, and festivals. Applicants can apply by submitting required documents, such as an official invitation letter or contract, without undergoing a separate review of their work, reducing their administrative burden. The program is limited to venues, exhibition spaces, and festivals listed in the Platform Directory. The directory lists leading overseas arts and cultural venues and festivals selected based on proposals from artists and expert research, and currently provides information on 902 platforms.

Launched in 2025, the program received 83 applications in its first year and supported 54 projects. This year, it received 105 applications, of which 61 were selected for support. For the program's third year in 2027, the ministry plans to expand support by increasing its proposed government budget to KRW 1.8 billion, 50% more than this year's KRW 1.2 billion.

The support program has also been improved.

First, the maximum support for large-scale performances involving 11 or more participants will increase from KRW 30 million to KRW 40 million.

Second, support will be expanded to include production personnel (staff) needed to stage performances and exhibitions, in addition to performers and writers. Applicants may request support for up to four staff members in the performing arts and up to two in the visual arts.

Third, a comprehensive evaluation of the Platform Directory will be conducted for the first time in 2027 to improve its reliability. The ministry will comprehensively review each platform's actual operations and its contribution to helping artists and arts organizations expand overseas. Platforms that do not meet the criteria will be removed from the directory following necessary procedures, such as a grace period. Artists and arts organizations may also propose new platforms not yet listed in the directory. Proposals can be submitted year-round through the official website. After review by external experts, the results will be announced after October 2027, and additional platforms will be registered.

The ministry also plans to hold three calls for applications in 2027. Following this first call, the second and third calls will take place in March and July, respectively. The announcement for the first call will be available on the official website starting November 9. Applicants must submit an official invitation letter or contract from at least one of the 902 overseas platforms listed in the Platform Directory. Further details are available in the application guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the official website.

Kim Hyeon-jun, the ministry's director general for international cultural policy, said, "We will further strengthen our support to help Korean artists and arts organizations present their outstanding work to audiences overseas through K-Arts On the Go, which eases their administrative burden and supports their efforts to expand abroad." He encouraged Korean artists and arts organizations to take an active interest in and apply for the 2027 program.

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