The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister CHAE Hwi-young, MCST), in partnership with the Korea Arts & Culture Education Service (KACES), will host the “15^th Anniversary Celebration of the Dream Art Troupe: A Record of Growth, A Future of Solidarity” on December 5 (Friday) at YTN Hall in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Minister CHAE will attend the event to encourage the Dream Art Troupe members and to hear firsthand from stakeholders on site.

El Sistema of Korea: Supporting art education for more than 3,000 children and youth across 110 hubs nationwide

The Dream Art Troupe was launched under an initiative to create a culture and art education program in Korea modeled closely after El Sistema, a free music education model for children and youth from low-income families started in Venezuela. Beginning with an orchestra program in 2010, the initiative has expanded into multiple artistic fields, including dance (since 2022), theater (since 2024), and a visual arts studio program (since 2025), with more than 3,000 children and teenagers participating at across 110 hubs nationwide. The program has also proven effective in nurturing talent, with a graduate of the Dream Orchestra going on to join the Korean National Symphony Orchestra.

In August 2025, national Dream Orchestras, Dance Troupes, and Theaters from 17 locations were joined by three global youth choirs for a joint camp event, the 2025 Dream Festival (August 6-8), held in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province.

In the upcoming anniversary celebration event, more than 200 representatives who have operated local hubs over the last 15 years will come together for a networking session and a commemorative performance for the program’s 15^th anniversary. In particular, current and alumni members of the Dream Orchestra will perform together for the 15^th anniversary concert, with their program to include “My Tomorrow,” the theme song of the 2025 Dream Festival, and “Dream Orchestra,” the grand-prize winner of the 2019 Dream Orchestra Children’s Song Contest.

Additional information on the celebration event is available on the KACES website (www.arte.or.kr). The commemorative performance will be livestreamed from 6:00 PM via the KACES YouTube channel (youtube.com/@artekaces).

“Cultural arts experiences in early childhood are precious opportunities for children to express themselves and discover their artistic potential,” said Minister CHAE. “Next year, the Ministry will expand the Dream Art Troupe program to more regions so that children across the country can grow together with the arts.”