Suwon, Uijeongbu venues expand: Opportunity income for artists broadens stage to Dongducheon, Yeoncheon

Gyeonggi Province is broadening the reach of its 'Opportunity Income for Artists' program by expanding the performance stages beyond 수원 (Suwon) and 의정부 (Uijeongbu) to include 동두천 (Dongducheon) and 연천 (Yeoncheon). This initiative, spearheaded by the Gyeonggi Arts Center, aims to provide artists with more opportunities to engage with the public and bring cultural performances into the daily lives of residents.

The '2026 On Stage: Gyeonggi' program, which kicked off at the Gyeonggi Arts Center's outdoor theater in Suwon on May 27, will run until October 31. As part of the province's effort to promote the artist opportunity income policy, selected artists and art groups will perform at various cultural venues across Gyeonggi Province. This year, 84 artists, chosen through an open recruitment process, will participate in a total of 20 performances across five cities: Suwon, Yongin, Uijeongbu, Dongducheon, and Yeoncheon.

While last year's performances were primarily centered at the Gyeonggi Arts Center's outdoor theater in Suwon and the Peace Square at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Northern Building in Uijeongbu, this year's program features a wider array of locations. These include the Gyeonggi Northern Children's Museum, Uijeongbu Music Library, and the Jeon-gok Prehistory Museum. The expansion into Dongducheon and Yeoncheon marks a significant geographical broadening of the program's northern reach.

The artist opportunity income is a Gyeonggi Province policy designed to recognize the social value of artistic activities and support artists in continuing their creative endeavors. 'On Stage: Gyeonggi' serves as a follow-up project to ensure this support translates into actual performance opportunities and audience interaction. The program also seeks to make performances accessible to residents in everyday spaces like museums and libraries, fostering a closer connection between art and the community. Performances will span various genres, including music, traditional Korean music, dance, popular arts, and diverse arts.