On January 23, Song Hyung Jong, the new CEO of the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, announced bold plans to transform Seoul into a top-five global cultural city by 2025. Speaking at a press conference in Jung-gu, Song presented the foundation’s strategic direction under the vision, “Everyday Revolution through Art, Turning the Ordinary into the Extraordinary.” The initiative aims to support artists, engage citizens, and position foundational arts as a central pillar of Seoul’s cultural identity alongside its internationally celebrated K-pop and fashion industries.

This fall, the foundation will debut the Art Seoul Festa (tentative name), a festival consolidating 40 performing arts events into a single, city-wide celebration. The initiative aims to amplify the impact of foundational arts by leveraging an annual budget of 20 billion KRW and 20 years of festival management expertise. The Seoul Street Arts Festival will expand its reach, transforming the city into a massive outdoor stage. Contemporary outdoor art genres will be incorporated, while a newly established Seoul Festival Think Tank will guide sustainable innovation for the next decade of festivals.

The foundation plans to enhance international exchange in foundational arts to establish Seoul as a creative hub for the next century. It will promote overseas tours of exceptional works, support artists’ entry into global markets, and develop distribution channels for international stages. Additionally, the newly created Seoul International Arts Forum will convene artists and scholars to explore the future of the arts. Cultural exchanges with East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East will also be expanded, further strengthening Seoul’s global artistic network.

In March, the Seoul Theater Creation Center in Seongbuk-gu will officially open, forming a performance arts belt alongside the Daehakro Theater Quad and the Seoul Theater Center. Equipped with two theaters, rehearsal spaces, and administrative offices, the center will support the entire creative process, from development to showcases. This initiative underscores Seoul’s commitment to nurturing its performing arts scene and supporting emerging talent.

In June, the Seoul Arts Education Center in Eunpyeong will open, completing a network of cultural education hubs across five districts: Yangcheon, Yongsan, Gangbuk, Seocho, and Eunpyeong. These centers will integrate the Seoul Citizens’ Arts School curriculum to attract 10,000 program participants annually, with 100,000 visitors expected to engage in cultural activities. The foundation also plans to revamp its lifestyle arts festivals, hosting events in open-air venues such as Nodlee Island and Boramae Park to encourage greater public participation.

Song emphasized the importance of creating an environment where artists can thrive, stating, “The foundation must strengthen its role as a solid platform for artistic creation. By reinforcing support systems for foundational arts, we aim to establish Seoul as a global hub for artistic innovation and creativity.” With these initiatives, the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture is poised to redefine the city’s cultural landscape and elevate its global standing as a leader in the arts.

Sayart / Jason Yim, yimjongho1969@gmail.com