SEOUL, Oct. 10 (Yonhap) -- A state-run art festival will open Friday, as part of efforts to foster an environment where people feel easier to enjoy art and performances, the culture ministry said Tuesday.

Korea Art Week 2017, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Arts Council Korea (ARCO), marks its third edition this year and is scheduled to run for 10 days under the title "Art in Life."

This year's festival puts extra focus on the country's artists estimated to be around 100,000 according to ARCO.

"What is different from last year is that artists will be more highlighted at this year's programs at a time when the general mood in the art industry has been pretty depressing because of blacklisting artists," said Lee Myeong-ok, who leads the organizing committee and runs the Savina Museum of Contemporary Art in Seoul, during a press briefing Tuesday. She referred to the previous government's systematic efforts to damage artists deemed anti-government by creating a blacklist and excluding those on the list from state support programs.

"Our survey found out that most artists, except for already popular ones, wanted to receive, more than anything, counseling on portfolios, residency programs and art sales," she said.

To this effect, the organizer planned a variety of programs, including "Portfolio Counseling," "Special Lecture on Art Management" and "Artist Mentoring."

"The Artist Mentoring project matches an artist and a mentee so that the mentee can share his or her ideas and stories on how to publicize and promote artwork," she said.

For counseling on portfolios, 18 mid-career artists aged 40-65 have been carefully selected.

She added, "During the screening process, we've been moved by how passionate they are in promoting their art. This year's art week is not about 'reigning above' the artists but about going together with them."

During the festival week, some 100 national and private museums, including the National Museum of Contemporary Art (MMCA), Daelim Museum and the Art Sonje Center, offer free or discounted entrance, various special art programs and "Open Studios," where people can visit artists' studios, watch people make art and interact with them.

Also given that the lack of sales channels has been a major issue for young and lesser-known artists, ARCO runs seven art markets nationwide -- three in Seoul, two in the southwestern city of Gwangju and one each in Incheon and the southeastern city of Daegu.

"As the event turns three years old this year, we tried to beef up the quality of our programs. Those programs are not new, but we think it is meaningful that we've put them together in an intensive manner during the special week," said Hwang Jin-soo, director of ARCO's Visual Arts Departments.

Last year's events attracted 230,000 people, the organizer said.

Woo Jae-yeon / Yonhap News Agency

 

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