In 2024, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Arts Council of Korea are ready to take the cultural life of young Koreans to the next level with a new milestone. The Youth Culture Pass will be introduced, a program that promises to provide up to KRW 150,000 in support for young people born in 2005 who will turn 19 this year to attend performances and exhibitions.
Expanding access to the arts for young adults
While there is a high level of interest in cultural activities among young people in their late teens, cost has been a major obstacle. The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and the Arts Council of Korea introduced the pass to make cultural activities more accessible to young people. This will give them the opportunity to experience various cultural activities such as musicals, classical music, and theater to broaden their knowledge.
How to apply and what's included
The Youth Culture Pass can be applied for through Interpark and Yes24, and is available to all young adults born in 2005, regardless of income. A total of 150,000 won (100,000 won nationally and 50,000 won locally) is provided, which can be used to purchase tickets for performances and exhibitions. The deadline for use is December 31, 2024 from the date of issuance.
International context
The Youth Culture Pass can be seen as a Korean version of cultural passes already in place in several countries, including France, Germany, and Spain. These countries are providing various supports to enhance cultural access for young people, and Korea is showing its alignment with global trends through this program.
Outlook and expectations
Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Yoo In-chon said that he hopes that the Youth Culture Pass will help young people grow into active participants in the cultural market by experiencing a variety of cultural activities. This is expected to make their cultural life richer and more diverse. The introduction of the Youth Culture and Arts Pass will open the door to cultural activities for young people, and we hope that it will serve as an important stepping stone for young people to build their own cultural experiences and experience the wider world. We look forward to seeing young people creating more colorful lives with the power of culture and arts.
