Gyeonggi Province Artists, How Are You Managing Through These Difficult Times?

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] As many artists face difficulties due to COVID-19, Gyeonggi Province and the Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation are conducting the <2021 Gyeonggi Province Artists and Arts Organizations Census Survey> to understand the living conditions of artists in the province and identify practical policy needs.

This comprehensive survey, conducted to understand the living and creative conditions of Gyeonggi Province artists as well as regional and genre-specific situations, will run from August 31 to November 5.

Prior to implementing the survey, the Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation has operated round-table discussions for direct communication with artists and arts organizations in the province.

Over a total of seven sessions, discussions were held on important cultural and arts policy issues, including what artists consider to be the definition and scope of artists, and what information Gyeonggi Province and the foundation should understand to support artists.

Based on opinions gathered from artists and organizations, this survey has been designed with various practical questions necessary for establishing effective Gyeonggi Province-tailored arts support policies, including questions about the living conditions and creative environment of Gyeonggi Province artists and what they wish for from Gyeonggi Province and the foundation.

Meanwhile, based on the results of the census survey, the Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation plans to establish a database of Gyeonggi Province artists and create an online system that enables career management and networking for artists.

The foundation also intends to comparatively analyze the status of artists in the province by city and county and by type, and use this as basic data for establishing substantive and systematic support policies for Gyeonggi Province artists.

A Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation official stated, "We believe that artist support policies that gain the welcome and empathy of artists begin with accurately understanding the lives of Gyeonggi Province artists. Through the Gyeonggi Province Artists Census Survey, we want to listen to the voices of artists in our province," and added, "We are also discussing various benefits that can be provided to those who participate in the census survey, such as simplifying the application procedures for grant support projects and reducing facility rental fees for creative facilities in the province. We ask for the participation of many artists. Moving forward, we will explore various communication channels and support measures so that artists can feel our foundation as a 'close and reliable partner.'"

Anyone who is an artist residing in Gyeonggi Province or an arts organization located in Gyeonggi Province can participate in the <Gyeonggi Province Artists and Arts Organizations Census Survey>. Through participation via online link (http://ezsurvey.kr/art/) or QR code access, participating artists will receive token gifts, and through various participation events, Gyeonggi Province artists will also be offered small pleasures.