Hwaseong City Receives 739 Applications for 'Gyeonggi Province Opportunity Income for Artists'...Strong Response from Local Artists

[Suwon Ilbo=Lee Su-won Reporter] Hwaseong City announced on the 2nd that it has completed the application period for the '2024 Gyeonggi Province Opportunity Income for Artists' and will proceed with sequential disbursement.

The 'Gyeonggi Province Opportunity Income for Artists Project' is an initiative in which the city, together with Gyeonggi Province, provides 1.5 million won annually per person to artists who create social value, enabling them to take pride in their creative activities. Following a pilot program in 2023, the project launched in full scale this year.

Hwaseong City's support scope has expanded from 500 people last year to 666 people, an increase of 166 people, with 739 artists applying for opportunity income this year, demonstrating strong interest. In last year's recruitment, 570 people participated, and the city ultimately supported 493 people after screening.

The city will review applicants' income levels and eligibility, finalize support targets, and plans to disburse 750,000 won in the first installment this month and 750,000 won in the second installment in October.

For emerging artist activity proof holders newly included as support targets this year, the city will review possible overlapping support with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's Art Activity Preparation Fund before disbursing opportunity income as a lump sum in October.

Hwaseong City Mayor Jung Myung-geun stated, "We have decided to provide opportunity income for artists who create significant social value but are not adequately compensated," adding, "We hope that the provision of opportunity income for artists will lead to creating an environment where culture and arts can be enjoyed everywhere in daily life."