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An employee from the Sejung Corporation introduces her company to artists during the 2015 Artist Sub-Job Fair held at Marronnier Park, Seoul, Monday. / Korea Times photo by Kim Jae-heun |
By Kim Jae-heun
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Korea's No. 1 cosmetic company AmorePacific and artists from Korean Artists Welfare Foundation collaborated in a campaign to improve the relationship between office workers and janitors. Artists created the cartoon faces containing grateful messages for the attendants to improve the company image. / Courtesy of KA |
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism sponsored the event to help artists making a living on part-time jobs to find stable career, which will utilize their creative talent.
"Sixty six point five percent of the artists in Korea make a living of 1 million won ($912.41) a month," said KAWF assistant manager Kim Sei-young. "They work at convenience stores, bars or distribute advertisement fliers on the street. We hope this fair can improve such phenomenon and help artists use their talents in the right place."
The project drew nearly 4,000 participants, as more than 2,000 artists sought consultations at some 200 companies. Some booths were set up for make-up sessions for jobseekers before shooting their resume application photos. Artists visited company booths of interest and received tips on writing proposals and interview skills.
A total of 455 artists were chosen for further review during the fair. They will be dispatched to different companies for six months from May 1. Sixty "facilitators" took the role as mediators and messengers between artists and companies at consultation tables to find suitable positions for each job-seeking artist.
The KAWF will take up full payment for the candidates during their six-month job experience and the artists will work at the companies two to three days a week so that they can focus on their artistic work during the remaining time.
However, the program is not yet at a level that serves the full needs of the participants.
"I have talked to three companies so far, but I have not met the right partner," said 40-year-old painter surnamed Lee. "Many of the corporate people here are public relations managers who cannot comment on my specific project ideas that I want to share.
"Honestly, I am not sure if this fair can really find the jobs for artists. Still, I am positive about its aim to bring changes in the social perception on artists. Many Koreans imagine a painter when they think of an artist. Art involves everything from daily necessities to communication between people. iPhone is the epitome of an artistic invention," Lee said.
Sejung Corporation, a fashion house that participated at the job fair, confessed that it was the first time the company participated in the job fair and it is not easy. Manager Choi Chang-sik said he met nine artists so far; who were all feeling too pressured to explain what they can achieve in the company when it is only expecting a small role.
The KAWF project director Lee Kyung-ku agreed about the absence of a concrete outcome. However, he promised to continually hold the event to promote a better working environment for artists.
"It will take time for our fair to get settled," said Lee. "At the moment, we are not making a profit from the event, but it is more important that we motivate artists to continue with their careers," Lee said.