Korean companies are encouraged to support local arts organizations through a grant-matching program run by the Korean Business Council for the Arts and Arts Council Korea.

The KBCA, dubbed the Mecenat Council, announced on Wednesday that the two organizations will start accepting registrations from both private companies and arts organizations to match grant seekers and providers.

In its seven years, the system has contributed to building partnerships between companies and artists in Korea. The number of companies participating in the project nearly tripled from 27 in 2007 to 75 last year.

Small businesses and companies with annual sales of less than 500 million won are eligible to apply for the scheme. Registration for arts organizations in the fields of performance, traditional, visual and interdisciplinary arts is also open at www.aandb.or.kr.

For more information, call (02) 784-1510.

By Lee Woo-young  (wylee@heraldcorp.com)