Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation Wins Grand Prize at 'Art Patron of the Year Awards'

Since 2009, 42.4 Billion KRW Invested, Benefiting 205,245 Cultural and Artistic Talents and Artists

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] The Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation announced on the 15th that it was selected as the overall winner of the '2021 Arts Patron of the Year Award' by the Korea Arts & Culture Education Service and received the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation.

Since 2009, the Chung Mong-Koo Foundation has invested a total of 42.4 billion KRW, benefiting a cumulative total of 205,245 cultural and artistic talents and artists.

Through the Foundation’s ‘OnDream Cultural Arts Talent’ scholarship program, outstanding cultural and artistic talents from middle school to university students are selected and awarded scholarships. The program also supports OnDream Ensemble activities and provides growth programs for overseas advancement. Since 2011, the Foundation has supported a cumulative total of 2,200 cultural and artistic talents with approximately 8.8 billion KRW in funding.

This year, many talents supported by the Chung Mong-Koo Foundation include Han Jae-min, who won 3rd place in the cello category at the Geneva International Competition and became the youngest winner at the George Enescu International Competition; Wi Jae-won, who was runner-up in the violin category at the George Enescu International Competition; and Park Sang-hyuk, who won 1st place at the 2021 David Popper International Cello Competition.

The ‘Art Village Project’ aimed at promoting regional culture and spreading culture in daily life has been underway since 2015. It supports the education of the Starlight Orchestra at Gyechon Elementary School in Gyechon Village, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon Province, and holds the Gyechon Classic Festival. For the development of Korean traditional music, it hosts Korean traditional music education and the Dongpyeonje Korean Music Festival in Bijeon and Jinchon villages in Namwon-si, Jeonbuk Province.

Additionally, through the OnDream Culture Love Day, over the past 12 years, approximately 70,000 youths from culturally marginalized areas have been provided opportunities to enjoy cultural arts through classical music performances with explanations. Last year, in response to COVID-19 and to ensure stable project operation, the Foundation co-hosted with the Ministry of Education the production and free distribution of video content titled ‘OnDream Textbook Concert,’ which combined performances of classical music included in textbooks with explanations. The Chung Mong-Koo Foundation was recognized for its practical contribution to educational effectiveness using non-face-to-face technology and received the Minister of Education Award last year.

Chairman Kwon Oh-gyu said, "I am pleased that the cultural and artistic projects the Foundation has continued for the past 12 years have been recognized as valuable work," adding, "We will continue to strive to create a better world where beautiful culture and arts can flourish."

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