First job fair opens for artists

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

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Mon, October 2, 2023 | 19:36

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First job fair opens for artists

"예술로 부업하세요"…첫 예술인 일자리박람회 개최

Posted : 2015-04-14 18:02

Updated : 2015-04-15 02:41

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

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

Korean Artists Welfare Foundation (KAWF) held the first job fair for artists on Monday at Marrionnier Park in Daehangno, the mecca of Korean theater in Seoul.

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.

"예술로 부업하세요"…첫 예술인 일자리박람회 개최

김종덕 '예술가의 꿈이 먹고사는 문제에 무너지지 않아야'

문화체육관광부와 한국예술인복지재단은 13일 서울 대학로 마로니에공원 일대에서 '2015 예술인일자리박람회'를 개최했다.

예술인복지재단이 운영하는 주요 복지사업 가운데 하나인 '예술인 파견지원'의 연장선상에서 처음으로 시도하는 대규모 예술인 일자리 만들기 행사다.

지난해 시범사업으로 시작된 예술인 파견지원은 예술인들에게 자신의 본업인 예술 활동과 병행할 수 있는 양질의 부업을 연계하는 것이다.

예술인들이 생활고에 시달리면서 창작 활동과 무관한 편의점, 인테리어, 호프집, 전단 배포와 같은 부업으로 생계를 유지할 수밖에 없는 현상을 막겠다는 취지다.

복지재단이 예술인의 활동비를 전액 지원하기 때문에 기업에도 경제적인 부담 없이 새로운 예술적 시도를 통해 조직문화를 발전적으로 만들 기회가 생긴다. 복지재단 측은 '이번 행사는 예술인에게 고기를 잡아주는 사업이 아니라 고기 잡는 법을 알려주는 사업'이라고 설명했다.

올해 행사에 참여하는 기업과 기관은 180여곳으로, 515명의 예술인이 부업으로 예술과 관련한 일자리를 갖게 된다.

이날 행사에는 김종덕 문화체육관광부 장관을 비롯해 김주영 예술인복지재단 이사장, 박계배 예술인복지재단 상임대표, 권영빈 한국문화예술위원회 위원장, 주성혜 한국예술교육진흥원장, 박명성 한국뮤지컬협회 이사장, 박정자 한국연극인복지재단 이사장 등이 참석했다.

김 장관은 '국민의 삶을 윤택하게 하는 힘, 국가의 경쟁력과 창조성의 근원은 모두 문화예술에서 비롯된다'면서도 '정작 문화예술인들의 일상은 불완전한 생활로 어려움에 처해있다'고 진단했다.

이어 '예술가의 꿈이 먹고사는 문제에 무너지지 않도록 튼튼한 기반이 마련돼야 한다'면서 '예술인들이 양질의 일자리를 통해 일정한 수입을 얻을 수 있는 구조를 만들려면 이번 박람회의 의의가 매우 크다'고 강조했다.

이날 행사장에는 애초 예상보다 훨씬 많은 4천∼5천명의 예술인들이 찾아오면서 큰 관심을 보였다.

연극배우 오제근(35)씨는 '복잡한 서류를 준비할 필요 없이 예술인 증명서만 있으면 일을 할 수 있어 좋다'며 '실제로 일을 해봐야 알겠지만, 취지 자체는 나쁘지 않은 것 같다'고 평가했다. (연합뉴스)

jhkim@koreatimes.co.kr