The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has launched the second annual Korea Art Festival, running nationwide through September 30. The month-long cultural celebration offers significant discounts on art event admissions while providing crucial support and exhibition opportunities for promising domestic artists through collaborations with biennales and exhibitions across the country.

The festival's early September events are specifically designed to showcase emerging Korean talent to international audiences. Rising artists are being featured in exhibitions held alongside provincial biennales in multiple regions throughout South Korea. In Seoul, visitors can view works by these promising artists at prestigious venues including the traditional Hwigyeomjae Hanok in the historic Bukchon Hanok Village, the contemporary Art Sonje Center, and the Zaha Museum.

A major highlight of the festival is the comprehensive "Art Tour" program, which features 14 carefully curated travel courses. These tours are jointly operated by private organizations and cultural foundations across the provinces of Gyeonggi-do, Gangwon-do, Jeolla-do, and Gyeongsang-do, as well as Jeju Island. Participants can explore art museums and galleries through guided tours while also visiting nearby tourist attractions, creating a holistic cultural experience.

International visitors arriving in South Korea will encounter Korean art immediately upon landing. Key airports including Incheon International Airport, Gimpo Airport in Seoul, and Gimhae Airport in Gyeongsangnam-do Province are hosting the special exhibition "Dive Into Korean Art: Seoul." This airport exhibition showcases diverse works by domestic artists spanning various genres including cutting-edge media art and traditional sculpture, providing travelers with an immediate introduction to Korea's vibrant art scene.

The festival offers substantial financial incentives to encourage participation. Visitors can receive discounts of up to 50 percent off admission to major art events, including the prestigious Korea International Art Fair (KIAF) Seoul, Frieze Seoul, the Jeonnam International Sumuk Biennale, and the Cheongju Craft Biennale. These significant savings make high-quality art experiences more accessible to both domestic and international audiences.

Additionally, special rail travel packages combine convenience with affordability. Visitors who purchase combined packages including train tickets and admission to events such as the Gwangju Design Biennale, Cheongju events, and Jeonnam programs can receive discounts ranging from 5 to 40 percent, depending on their chosen time slot. These packages can be easily reserved through the KoRail website at www.korail.com or through the Korail Talk mobile application.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Chae Hwi-young emphasized the festival's broader cultural mission, stating, "The Korea Art Festival will go beyond a simple exhibition space to become a powerful starting point for Korean arts to breathe together with the people and communicate with the world." This statement reflects the government's commitment to using the festival as a platform for international cultural exchange and domestic artistic development.

Complete information about all festival events, schedules, participating venues, and booking procedures is available on the official Korea Art Festival website at https://www.k-artfestival.com. The comprehensive online resource provides visitors with detailed planning tools to maximize their festival experience throughout the month-long celebration.