The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of South Korea is holding an open recruitment for young educational members to gain practical experience on the stages of national arts organizations. From the 5th to the 20th, a total of 525 young educational members will be recruited across four performing arts fields: classical music, dance, theater, and traditional arts. Out of these, 515 members will be selected through an integrated recruitment process, and an additional 10 creators at the National Theater will be recruited separately.
The “Youth Educational Member Development” program aims to provide young artists, who find it difficult to gain practical experience, with education and stage experience at South Korea’s top national arts organizations, helping them grow into the next generation of K-performing arts. This program, previously run by several organizations, has been expanded to all national arts organizations for a comprehensive recruitment process starting in 2024. The program has seen high competition rates in past years, with averages of 9.5:1 and 4.92:1.
Eligible applicants are young artists aged 19 to 34 who are either graduates, soon-to-be graduates, or have experience in related fields. The recruitment breakdown includes 230 slots in classical music (90 for the National Opera Company, 50 for the National Chorus, and 90 for the National Symphony Orchestra), 60 in dance (30 each for the National Ballet and the National Dance Company), 60 in theater (National Theater Company), and 165 in traditional arts (60 for the National Gugak Center, 80 for the National Theater, and 25 for the National Jeongdong Theater).
Those selected will receive practical training, including masterclasses, have the opportunity to perform on stage, and receive activity support funds. Detailed information about eligibility and the application process can be found on the websites of the National Arts Organizations Union or the individual organizations.
Lee Yong-shin, the Ministry’s Arts Policy Officer, stated: “The youth educational member program is designed to systematically nurture the next generation of K-culture talents in the performing arts sector,” and emphasized plans to continue supporting talented young artists in gaining stage experience and advancing in 2026.