South Gyeongsang Province is launching a touring performance program to bring cultural events to residents in areas with limited access to the arts.
The provincial government announced Thursday it has allocated 300 million won ($212,000) this year to select 11 outstanding arts groups as its Residents' Arts Troupes, which will perform across 11 cities and counties from September through December, beginning in Namhae-gun.
The touring program is a cultural welfare initiative in which local arts groups travel directly to communities that have relatively few opportunities to experience the arts. All performances will be free of charge.
The province selected the 11 groups through an open call in May, evaluating artistic ability and on-site readiness. Each selected group will receive up to 30 million won in project funding. The 11 host cities and counties are responsible for providing venues, coordinating with local festivals, planning event details, establishing safety measures and handling on-site promotion.
The series opens Sept. 19 at the multipurpose hall of the Namhae Cultural Center, where Yepum Dance Company will perform. The troupe plans to present a program combining traditional dance with regional character.
The remaining tour schedule runs as follows: Seonyupungmul Research Institute on Oct. 2 in Goseong; World Music Band Jena on Oct. 3 in Hadong; Eum Opera Company on Oct. 7 in Miryang; Pungmulpae Cheongeum on Oct. 11 in Hamyang; Gyeongsang Opera Company on Oct. 14 in Geoje; Artwork on Oct. 20 in Sancheong; Ddagadaga Art Company on Oct. 22 in Hapcheon; Gamstring on Nov. 14 in Geochang; South Gyeongsang Gugak Orchestra Hyu in November in Haman; and South Gyeongsang Philharmonic Orchestra on Dec. 2 in Changnyeong.
The participating groups have performed not only across the province but also on domestic and international stages. World Music Band Jena was invited to perform at a Korean cultural festival in Seattle, and South Gyeongsang Gugak Orchestra Hyu has continued to receive overseas invitations, including to France. Pungmulpae Cheongeum was named a next-generation traditional performing artist in the yeonhui, or folk performance, category by the Korea Foundation for Traditional Performing Arts.
"The South Gyeongsang Residents' Arts Troupes, with their outstanding talent, will go directly to culturally underserved areas so that all provincial residents can enjoy high-quality arts and culture close to their daily lives," said Jeong Yeong-cheol, director of the province's culture and sports bureau. "We hope many people will take an interest and participate in the second-half touring performances."
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