Gyeonggi Art Center is unveiling its first signature performing arts platform for Gyeonggi Province, encompassing creation, distribution and international exchange in the performing arts.
Gyeonggi Art Center said Tuesday that it will hold the "2026 G-ARTS FESTIVAL" from June 26 through July 31. The G-ARTS FESTIVAL is a project jointly pursued by Gyeonggi Art Center and the Gyeonggi Performance Venue Network. It aims to build a virtuous cycle that discovers outstanding performing arts content, connects it with venues, and spreads it to provincial residents.
Launching for the first time this year, the G-ARTS FESTIVAL is distinguished by integrating the "Gyeonggi Performing Arts Awards (G-ARTS AWARDS)," the "Gyeonggi Performing Arts Meeting (GPAM)" and the "Gyeonggi Performing Arts Festival" into a single platform. Gyeonggi Art Center envisions creating a sustainable performing arts ecosystem that goes beyond simple production support to connect distribution, exchange and audience enjoyment.
The first program, the Gyeonggi Performing Arts Awards, was newly established to discover outstanding performing arts works within the province. A total of 227 works were submitted to the open call across three categories — theater, dance and music. Following review, one team will be selected for the grand prize and five teams for the top excellence award. Award-winning works will receive not only prizes but also opportunities for future performance distribution and venue connections.
The Gyeonggi Performing Arts Meeting (GPAM), held at Gyeonggi Art Center on June 26 and 27, is a business platform connecting venues, arts organizations, producers and domestic and international experts. The event will feature one-on-one designated meetings between venues and arts organizations, showcases, expert roundtables and networking programs.
In particular, organizations participating in the venue resident-company development support project, candidate works for the Performing Arts Awards, and the Gyeonggi Arts Company will introduce their creative content and meet directly with venue officials. Overseas performing arts experts from Japan, Hong Kong, Europe, Australia and Scotland will also participate to discuss international performing arts market trends and cooperation plans.
Gyeonggi Art Center plans to develop GPAM into an international exchange platform. A commemorative signing ceremony involving overseas speakers and domestic venue officials will be held at the opening ceremony, providing an occasion to expand cooperation networks among domestic and international performing arts institutions. Overseas institutions including Japan's Yokohama International Performing Arts Meeting (YPAM) and the European Theatre Convention (ETC) are also continuing ongoing exchanges.
After GPAM concludes, the Gyeonggi Performing Arts Festival will continue through July 31. A total of 21 programs and 42 performances will be staged at Gyeonggi Art Center and venues across the province.
Major works include the Gyeonggi Provincial Dance Company's gyeonggi dodang dance drama "Gwigwi Naeryeok" and the Gyeonggi Sinawi Orchestra's "Music Drama Baekbeom Kim Koo: A Nation of Culture." "Gwigwi Naeryeok" is a modern reinterpretation of the gyeonggi dodang-gut, a representative intangible heritage of Gyeonggi Province, while "Music Drama Baekbeom Kim Koo: A Nation of Culture" was produced to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Baekbeom Kim Koo and the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Gyeonggi Sinawi Orchestra.
In addition, "In Common," the signature work of the Australian contemporary circus group One Fell Swoop Circus, will meet audiences in its Asian premiere, adding to the significance of the international exchange program.
"The G-ARTS FESTIVAL is Gyeonggi Province's signature performing arts platform that discovers outstanding performing arts content, connects it with venues, and expands it into domestic and international markets," Gyeonggi Art Center President Kim Sang-hoe said. "We will build a metropolitan performing arts ecosystem that connects Gyeonggi Province's 31 cities and counties into a single stage, creating a sustainable performing arts environment."
