Dispatch State of Professionals for International Cultural Exchange in 2013

If international cultural exchange of the past referred to promotion of superior domestic culture and by extension, Korea, today, it signals the natural fusion of the culture that is shared bilaterally between two countries, as well as the new opportunities for development in art and culture that might arise as a result. Hallyu, or the Korean Wave , in particular, has exposed Korea’s pop cultural scene to foreign markets, making it exponentially more famous, which has brought with it its own set of concerns.

Korea’s performing arts, visual arts, literature, film and pop culture have much to learn from interacting with those of other countries’, and through heightened exchange with many countries, they may come to be on par with the quality of those in the global market, and more. Thus, it is such activitieson an international level that are important, which leads us ultimately to the people who plan such things and execute them. It is urgent that Korea trains professionals who have the knowledge and skills for international cultural exchange. Experts in this field include people who plan and execute these cultural exchange programs, and those who earn the official title of expert have managed such international projects either as part of an art organization or on a freelance basis, according to the interests of the group or of the individual.

The Current Status of the International Cultural Exchange Academy in 2013

In 2013, the Korea Arts Management Service and the Ministry of Culture began the “NEXT Project to Cultivate Professionals for International Cultural Exchange,” in recognition of the greater trend of nations to collaborate on a cultural and artistic level, and the on the ground level need for trained professionals for such activities. A cornerstone of the NEXT project is to operate the NEXT International Cultural Exchange Academy, and NEXT STEP, of which the main objective is to support research on international cultural exchange. The final aim of such projects is to train specialists with international savvy and business skills, from a pool of candidates including experienced planners of international cultural exchange projects and others attempting to break into the industry.
First, the NEXT International Cultural Exchange Academy project is designed to share the knowhow of organizations currently engaged in cultural exchange, and to raise specialists needed in the field. The Academy has offered courses in performance arts, visual arts, literature and general arts, operated nine programs with a total of nine participating organizations, and graduated around 200 members, who span across various fields and backgrounds. The program was well received, offering a chance to see both the real need for trained experts in the field of cultural exchange, as well as the willingness of people to meet such demands.

2013 NEXT STEP Support of International Cultural Exchange and Resultant Research

The NEXT STEP’s support of research on international cultural exchange is a rather supply-focused approach project, attempting to improve the Academy and strengthen the networks between the professional staff dispatched by the Academy. It will help its members create new projects based off the networks built among the personnel, and the ensuing research that’s jointly led by its staff. Such process-driven assistance will aid participants to voluntarily strength entheir interest area and form a base from which they may continue to build competence in their chosen fields. The NEXT STEP program will select a total of four groups for support, through a public contest that will be held mid-March 2014.

The NEXT International Cultural Exchange program to cultivate experts is in its early beginnings. With various education programs, field support, and entry support for those attempting to enter into international cultural exchange, the NEXT program will train professionals and further expand its business in 2014.