“Dream Arts Ensemble 2.0” to Advance Artistic Development of Children and Youth, Building on Korea’s Top Government Innovation Case

- “Dream Arts Ensemble” selected as Korea’s best government innovation case in the category of youth welfare services with tangible benefits in 2026

- More hubs in 2027 and advanced arts education and guidance to support members from participation to growth; program to evolve into “Our Neighborhood Dream Arts Ensemble,” nurtured together by local residents and local businesses

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister CHAE Hwi-young, MCST) announced that the “Dream Arts Ensemble” was selected as Korea’s best case for youth welfare services with tangible benefits in the “2026 Government Innovation Firsts and Bests” contest, organized by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) and the Korea Institute of Public Administration (KIPA). The Dream Arts Ensemble was recognized for providing high-quality arts opportunities to children and youth with limited access to culture and the arts, and for contributing to members’ artistic growth and to building a sustainable foundation for culture and the arts in local communities.

The Dream Arts Ensemble began in 2010 as the Dream Orchestra in eight regions and has since expanded to include Dream Dance, Dream Theater, Dream Studio, Dream Arts Ensemble Plus, and traditional arts. In 2026, it has grown to at least 6,000 members across 150 hubs nationwide. The MCST selects cultural foundations, cultural centers, and culture and arts centers as hub institutions to support arts education tailored to local conditions. Currently, 45 Dream Orchestra hub institutions have become self-sustaining and are operating independently in their communities.

“Dream Arts Ensemble 2.0” to Develop into a Mature Program Nurtured by Local Communities

Building on the achievements recognized as the best government innovation case, the MCST will pursue “Dream Arts Ensemble 2.0” to take the program to the next level. While efforts so far have focused on establishing the Dream Arts Ensemble across the country, the MCST now plans to advance it to a mature stage in which local communities nurture the ensembles together. To this end, the MCST will extend the program’s regional coverage and range of genres, systematically support members’ artistic growth, and strengthen a sustainable operating foundation based on community participation. The 2027 government budget proposal allocates KRW 26.6 billion to the program, up KRW 9.5 billion from this year’s KRW 17.1 billion.

① More Hubs to Help Children and Youth in More Regions Pursue Their Dreams

In 2027, the MCST will increase the number of Dream Arts Ensemble hubs from 150 this year to at least 200, broadening participation opportunities for children and youth in local communities. New genres, such as choral singing, will be added to existing ones, and small-scale orchestra models tailored to regional populations and demand will be developed. In particular, the MCST plans to introduce a new specially designed program to expand participation opportunities for areas facing population decline.

② Strengthening Support from Participation to Growth

To help members who have grown through the Dream Arts Ensemble further develop their abilities, the MCST will provide advanced arts education and diverse artistic experiences, including ensemble playing and performances, and will expand cooperation with national arts organizations and major performance venues for this purpose. Renowned artists and other figures will be appointed as “Dream Arts Ensemble Masters” to offer master classes and guidance. This will give members the opportunity to learn directly from professional artists and to develop their abilities and clarify their career paths. The MCST will also support the Dream Arts Ensemble in establishing itself as a flagship brand.

③ Strengthening the Foundation for Sustaining Dream Arts Ensemble in Local Communities

To ensure that the local ensembles can operate reliably in their communities even after national operating subsidies end, the MCST will strengthen support for self-sustaining hubs. In addition to existing instructor training and support for camps and performances, the MCST will newly provide educational equipment, such as replacements of aging instruments. A donation and sponsorship system will also be established so that businesses and the public can participate. Local residents will be able to directly sponsor “Our Neighborhood Dream Arts Ensemble,” while support will be provided for local businesses and hub institutions to jointly organize performances in their communities, laying the groundwork for local communities to take part in the ensembles’ growth. The MCST will also widely promote the achievements and value of the Dream Arts Ensemble through invitations for sponsors to attend performances and public sponsorship campaigns.

JUNG Hyang-mi, Deputy Minister for Culture and Arts Policy at the MCST, stated, “The selection of the ‘Dream Arts Ensemble’ as Korea’s best government innovation case recognizes its achievements in expanding participation opportunities for children and youth with limited access to culture and the arts, and in fostering both their growth and the foundation for culture and the arts in local communities.” Deputy Minister JUNG added, “Moving beyond the stage of establishing ensembles across the country, we will advance the program to a mature stage in which local residents, local businesses, and hub institutions work together to nurture ‘Our Neighborhood Dream Arts Ensemble.’”