Korea Development Bank Sponsors 30 Million KRW to 10 Artists in the 41st Warm Companion Program

Hwang Chan-ik, Head of Social Contribution Team at Korea Development Bank (left), is taking a commemorative photo after delivering a donation to Jeong Cheol, Director of the Korea Artists Welfare Foundation, on the 30th.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kangwook Cho] Korea Development Bank (KDB) announced on the 30th that it has selected 10 artists who have faced difficulties such as performance cancellations due to COVID-19 as the 41st sponsorship recipients of the 'KDB Warm Companionship' program and delivered a total sponsorship fund of 30 million KRW to help them continue their artistic creative activities.

Through 'KDB Warm Companionship,' KDB had supported 10 artists in the first half of this year (June), and due to the worsening situation with the third wave of COVID-19 causing performances to be suspended again, it decided to provide support in the second half of the year.

The sponsorship recipients were selected based on recommendations from the Korea Artists Welfare Foundation. Among applicants for the foundation’s Creative Preparation Fund support project, 10 artists whose programs aligned with the purpose of the sponsorship were chosen.

With this support, an artist who was actively performing in local shows and regional cultural events but suffered severe financial hardship due to all performances and events being canceled has regained strength and started rehearsing to prepare for the stage again. Another artist who had been planning and producing children’s performances for over 30 years had their ongoing children’s musical project canceled and was sustaining their livelihood through cleaning services but is now fully dedicating themselves to preparing a new creative performance. Additionally, an artist with a physical disability who does not hide their complex and works on the art of possibility through flat painting is able to continue expanding their artistic activities.

Other recipients include a guitarist preparing for the stage while working as an after-school instructor, a pianist who continues practicing despite concerts not being held, an essayist preparing for publication, a dancer preparing to transform into a choreographer, a photographer preparing works, and a theater artist who combines gayageum performance with acting. These artists from various fields received support to continue their creative activities.

At the sponsorship fund delivery ceremony held at the Korea Artists Welfare Foundation on the same day, KDB’s Head of Social Contribution Division Hwang Chan-ik and the foundation’s Director Jeong Cheol attended and pledged to further cooperate by expanding patronage activities to support artists increasingly struggling due to COVID-19. Considering the elevated social distancing measures, the delivery of sponsorship funds to the selected artists was conducted non-face-to-face.

Meanwhile, including this support, KDB has delivered a total of 570 million KRW in sponsorship funds over 41 rounds.

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