Sept 1–3, A+ Festival held at the Blue House heliport

Various performances, such as from a dance troupe of people with disabilities and an orchestra composed of individuals with visual impairments, and

experiential events held to improve awareness of the people with disabilities

The “2023 A+ Festival,” Korea’s largest culture and arts festival for the people with disabilities started on September 1 (Fri) at the Blue House Chunchugwan and heliport. This festival, running until September 15 (Fri), is sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister PARK Bo Gyoon, MCST), hosted by the Federation of Disability Culture and Art Associations of Korea (Standing Representative BAE Eun Joo, FDCA), and organized by the 2023 A+ Festival Organizing Committee (Chairman KIM Seung Soo).

Minister PARK Bo Gyoon of MCST said, “Since the inauguration of the YOON Suk Yeol administration, a strong policy stance of friendliness to the people with disabilities has been implemented across various fields such as culture, arts, and sports. In particular, in arts, we are achieving results, such as introducing laws and systems, building infrastructure, and expanding creative support based on the basic plan to support cultural and artistic activities for artists with disabilities, which was prepared for the first time by previous governments. Moving forward, we will continue to provide systematic support so they can demonstrate their imagination and artistry in a better environment and the public can enjoy art created by artists with disabilities more closely.”

On Sept 1, the event’s opening ceremony was held at Chunchugwan, and from Sept 1 to 3, performances, exhibitions, and experience events was held around the Blue House heliport

This is the third time an event for artists with disabilities is being held at the Blue House, following the “1st Special Exhibition for Artists with Disabilities” in August last year and the Chunchugwan Special Performance by the Orchestra of Artists with Disabilities in April this year. The festival’s opening ceremony was held at the Blue House Chunchugwan on the morning of September 1 (Fri). Actor HA Ji Seong, who became the first person with brain lesions to win the acting award in the Theatre category at this year’s Baeksang Arts Awards, and vocalist SEO Jeong Min announced the start of the festival by reading the “Disabled Artists Charter.”

Then, performances and exhibitions involving artists with disabilities was held near the Blue House heliport from Sept 1 (Fri) to Sept 3 (Sun). The event showcased a myriad of offerings including performances by dancers with disabilities, an orchestra performance by the Hanbit Arts Group composed of people with visual impairments, an exhibition of Braille publications, and an international exchange calligraphy exhibition uniting artists from Korea, China, and Japan. Visitors were also able to participate in various experiential events to improve awareness of disabilities and accessibility.

Sept 1–15 The works of 49 artists with disabilities exhibited at Chunchugwan, and the works of 19 artists who were not selected were implemented as a media art exhibition

Continuing from last year, this year, as part of the festival, a special exhibition of artists with disabilities, “Into the People, Into Harmony,” will be held at the Blue House Chunchugwan from Sept 1 (Fri) to Sept 15 (Fri). The works of 49 artists will be selected through a contest and displayed. Artist KIM Tae Min (autism, Western painting), who captures natural materials, such as animals, plants, and landscapes on canvas with unstoppable brushstrokes and bold colors; Artist PARK Se Jun (autism, Western painting), who draws delicious food inside the face of a lion; and Artist SHIN Eui Hyun (autistic, Korean painting), who expresses his own growth and inner world of oriental painting with elegant and clear coloring and ink lines, participated in this exhibition. In particular, in this year’s exhibition, the works of 19 artists not selected in the contest will also be displayed as a media art exhibition on a large screen (4.5 × 8 m), providing an opportunity to view more works by artists with disabilities.

A+ Festival, creating an environment that anyone can enjoy

For this event, a sufficient number of personnel for guidance and order maintenance were placed in key spaces, such as the event venue, travel paths, elevators, and parking lots, to ensure that all visitors could enjoy and participate comfortably. Specifically designed to accommodate visitors with disabilities, the exhibition offers audio guides (audio descriptions in conjunction with text-based promotional materials that can be converted into voice files on mobile phones) to individuals with visual impairments, and tour guidance from a sign language interpreter is provided to those with hearing impairments. In addition, a viewing environment of a “Relax Performance” type is created for people with developmental disabilities. This innovative approach fosters an inclusive viewing culture that encourages visitors to understand the sounds and visible movements arising from disabilities. Preparing visitors before they enter the exhibition space, this initiative aims to ensure and create an environment of comfort and inclusivity for all.