Incheon City Provides 2.2 Billion KRW Support to Cultural and Arts Sector Affected by COVID-19

Government Support Payments for Bottom 70% Income Households and Overlapping Payments with Incheon City Disaster Basic Income

Incheon City Hall

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon City announced on the 6th that it will promptly provide 2.2 billion KRW in support to local cultural artists who are struggling due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

The city will prioritize implementing the 'Emergency Disaster Relief Fund for Artists (200 million KRW)' for economic support to local cultural artists facing livelihood difficulties, an online art activity support project (400 million KRW), and support for damages caused by venue rental fee refunds.

The emergency disaster relief fund will be provided at 300,000 KRW per household to artists residing in Incheon whose household income is at or below 100% of the median income. Selection will be made within the project budget based on the lowest income and highest number of household members.

However, basic livelihood security recipients, those in the lower income bracket receiving livelihood benefits, or those participating in government and local government job support projects are excluded.

The emergency disaster relief fund can be received in conjunction with the government’s emergency disaster relief fund given to the bottom 70% income households (400,000 to 1,000,000 KRW) or Incheon City’s disaster basic income support (250,000 KRW) for the top 30% income households.

The online art activity support project involves conducting cultural and artistic activities without an audience at local cultural spaces, filming these activities, and providing the videos free of charge on online platforms. Support is available not only to artists but also to cultural space operators, cultural planners, and video producers.

Additionally, despite livelihood difficulties, the city will implement various emergency support projects to enable local cultural artists to continue creative activities, including ▲expanding artist creation support ▲increasing purchases of artworks by Incheon artists ▲providing books for creative activities ▲supporting creative spaces ▲matching support for crowdfunding in the cultural and artistic fields ▲and linking support with the Incheon e-eum card.

The city plans to swiftly carry out the projects through the Incheon Cultural Foundation and will operate a dedicated service desk at the Incheon Life Culture Center Chiltong Madang (Building H).

In accordance with social distancing measures, online applications are the principle, but exceptions for in-person applications are allowed. For more details, inquiries can be made through the Incheon City and Incheon Cultural Foundation websites or the dedicated service desk of the Incheon Cultural Foundation (032-760-1086~9).

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