KT&G (CEO Baek Bok-in) is seeking volunteers for the Korean-photographer support program 'KT&G SKOPF (KT&G Sangsangmadang Korean Photographer's Fellowship)' from May 3 to 8.

KT&G SKOPF, which celebrates its 13th year this year, is a Sangsangmadang's representative program that identifies and promotes aspiring photographers. Any photographer based in Korea is eligible to participate and those interested in participating can submit a work plan and portfolio via the KT&G Sangsangmadang’s official website (www.sangsangmadang.com).

The review is carried out three times in accordance with a rigorous protocol. First, ten artists are chosen from the first portfolio screening. Following that, the three artists of the year will be seen as a second round of presentations by the chosen artists and an in-depth interview with the judges. The three selected artists will get assistance and mentoring for work development for around six months, and one final artist of the year will be selected in early December through the third screening.

Artists chosen through a fair screening process will receive funding for the production of their work as well as funding for exhibits. The three artists who cleared the second screening this year will each receive a 10 million won activity funding and the opportunity to participate in a group exhibition. Among them, one individual will be selected as the final artist and will earn perks totaling around 40 million won, including funding for personal exhibits, events, and catalog creation.

"We have revived this contest to support photographers who are encountering problems in their profession owing to COVID-19," said Shim Young-ah, head of KT&G's Social Contribution Office. "We will continue to promote many sectors such as visual arts, performances, and films in order to contribute to the growth of the culture and arts ecosystem."

Meanwhile, Sangsangmadang has been running this initiative to uncover and promote aspiring photographers since 2008. A total of 42 photographers earned sponsorship totaling around 1.2 billion won as a result of this program.

The 13th KT&G SKOPF Competition Poster