On January 23, Song Hyung Jong, the newly appointed CEO of the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture (SFAC), announced the foundation’s key directions for 2025.

Aiming to position Seoul among the world's top five cultural cities, SFAC outlined a range of initiatives.

1. Expanding International Cultural and Artistic Exchange
SFAC plans to promote international tours of outstanding works that represent the next wave of Hallyu in the foundational arts. In collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korean Cultural Centers abroad, the foundation will support the distribution of selected works from the ‘Seoul Arts Award,’ extending beyond creation support to help artists reach the global stage.

Additionally, SFAC will launch the ‘Seoul International Arts Forum,’ bringing together artists and scholars from around the world to discuss the future of the arts. The foundation also plans to expand exchange programs with young East Asian artists and establish connections with cultural institutions in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
 
2. Launching a Performing and Exhibition Information Portal
In June, SFAC will introduce an online portal to promote works selected under its ‘Arts Creation Support Program,’ which funds over 700 projects annually with a budget of approximately 20 billion KRW. Unlike private ticketing platforms that focus on popular and commercial arts, this portal will improve accessibility to high-quality foundational arts by offering expert reviews, audience ratings, and curated recommendations.

3. Introducing ‘Art Seoul Festa,’ a Global Arts Festival
Leveraging two decades of experience in festival management, SFAC will launch ‘Art Seoul Festa’ (tentative name), an overarching festival brand that encompasses foundational performing arts festivals. The foundation will collaborate with both public and private festival organizers to curate events for different audience segments and attract international visitors, transforming Seoul into a hub for performing arts each autumn.
 
4. Expanding Regional Arts Education Programs
With the opening of the Seoul Arts Education Center – Eunpyeong in June, SFAC will complete the establishment of five regional hubs for arts education in Yangcheon, Yongsan, Gangbuk, Seocho, and Eunpyeong.
These centers will integrate SFAC’s Seoul Citizens’ Arts School curriculum, aiming to attract 100,000 visitors annually and provide programs for over 10,000 participants. By tailoring content to each region and engaging top-tier artists, these centers will offer accessible, high-quality arts experiences for diverse audiences.

CEO Song Hyung Jong stated, “As the foundation embarks on this new chapter, we must strengthen our role in providing a solid foundation for artists to create freely. By enhancing our support system for foundational arts, we aim to establish Seoul as a leading hub for artistic creation and a globally competitive cultural metropolis.”

References

• 서울문화재단 (Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture)
• 글로벌뉴스통신, 서울문화재단, 송형종 신임 대표이사 2025년 중점 방향 발표, 2025.01.23