• ASSITEJ KOREA
  • Take a Child to the Theatre
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  • ASSITEJ Korea
  • ASSITEJ Korea
  • The Heart of Korean Performing Arts for Children and Young People
    Founded in 1982, ASSITEJ Korea has been at the forefront of the development and expansion of Theatre and Performing Arts for Young Audiences in Korea. With around 200 professional performing arts productions as well as playwrights, critics, producers, and researchers among its members, ASSITEJ Korea is dedicated to creating a social environment in which children and young people can experience diverse and high-quality arts and culture..

    Global Leadership Representing Asia
    ASSITEJ Korea is one of the 15 Executive Committee members of ASSITEJ International, which comprises 87 national centres worldwide. As one of Asia’s key executive members, ASSITEJ Korea works closely with ASSITEJ Japan to expand the international network and activities of ASSITEJ beyond its traditional European focus into Asia and other regions. Through this role, ASSITEJ Korea continues to strengthen its position as a leading organization for children and youth performing arts in Asia.

    Hosting International Festivals and Congresses
    In 2002, ASSITEJ Korea successfully hosted the 14th ASSITEJ World Congress and Performing Arts Festival, becoming the first country in Asia to hold the event. The congress received international acclaim for its rigorous artistic selection process, systematic management, and outstanding programs, and was regarded as one of the most exemplary and impressive ASSITEJ World Congresses ever held.
    In 2027, ASSITEJ Korea will once again host the ASSITEJ World Congress and Performing Arts Festival in response to requests from Asian member countries, reflecting a collective desire to reconnect in person following the limitations of the online congress hosted by Japan in 2021.

    Continuous Support for Creation, Education, and Discourse
    ASSITEJ Korea has organized the Seoul Children’s Theatre Awards since 1992, to support the development of Korean performing arts for young audiences while carrying out a wide range of activities, including:

    Festivals : ASSITEJ Korea International Summer Festival, ASSITEJ Korea Winter Festival in Seoul, K-PANY (Korea Performing Arts Network for Youth Creative Platform), and the National Children’s Theatre Festival

    Research and Advocacy : Celebration events for World Day of Theatre for Children and Young People, publication of the critical journal 〈Children & Youth Theatre IN〉, forums and academic discussions

    Education and Support : Regional children’s theatre festivals, workshops for teachers, children, young people, and caregivers, as well as arts education programs
  • Background
    ASSITEJ International stands for the French name Association Internationale du Théâtre pour l’Enfance et la Jeunesse, translated in English as the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People. Founded in Paris, France, in 1965, ASSITEJ International is a non-governmental organization (NGO) currently bringing together 87 member countries worldwide.

    A Global Network for TYA Arts
    Across its National Centres around the world, ASSITEJ International connects more than 4,000 professional performing arts companies and individual artists. Through this international network, members share the artistic values of Theatre and Performing Arts for Young Audiences (TYA), fostering active exchanges, collaborative partnerships, and cross-border artistic dialogue for children and young people.

    Governance and Executive Committee
    The Executive Committee, the principal decision-making body of ASSITEJ International, consists of 15 elected members representing countries from around the world. Korea has long held an important position within the organization. Following former Executive Committee members Kim Woo-ok and Choi Young-ae, current Executive Committee member Kim Seok-hong continues to represent and advocate for Korean theatre and performing arts for young audiences on the global stage.

    Main Events and Regional Networks

    Congress: Held every three years, the ASSITEJ World Congress serves as the organization’s highest decision-making gathering, where major policies are discussed and future host countries are selected through voting.

    Artistic Gathering: Organized annually in years when the World Congress is not held, the Artistic Gathering provides opportunities for practical exchange, networking, and celebration among artists and organizations worldwide.

    ASSITEJ Asia Meeting: Hosted annually in different Asian countries, the ASSITEJ Asia Meeting strengthens regional collaboration and networking among ASSITEJ members across Asia.

    Professional Networks
    ASSITEJ International operates several global Professional Networks to deepen expertise in specific fields of performing arts and to encourage international knowledge exchange and collaboration.

    - IIAN (International Inclusive Arts Network): Promotes research and practice for inclusive arts environments that embrace all children beyond the boundaries of disability and non-disability.

    - ITYARN (International Theatre for Young Audiences Research Network): A global network of researchers dedicated to exploring the academic and theoretical foundations of theatre and performing arts for young audiences.

    - Next Generation Network: Supports and connects emerging young artists worldwide, helping to build the future of performing arts for children and young people.

    - Small Size theatre Network: Focuses on the unique characteristics of performing arts for early childhood (ages 0–6) and encourages the development of specialized artistic content for very young audiences.

    - WLPG (Writers Lab / Worldwide Playwrights Group): Strengthens the creative capacities of playwrights for children and young people while encouraging the international exchange of outstanding texts.

    - Young Dance Network: Supports the development and visibility of dance and physical theatre for children and young people while expanding international collaboration in the field.

    Mission

    • ASSITEJ unites theatres, organizations, and individuals throughout the world who create and advocate for theatre and performing arts for children and young people.
    • ASSITEJ advocates for the artistic, cultural, and educational rights of all children and young people, regardless of nationality, cultural identity, ethnicity, or religion.
    • ASSITEJ brings people together to share knowledge and experience in the field of theatre and performing arts for young audiences, fostering understanding, encouraging action, creating new opportunities, and strengthening the global community in support of the rights and voices of all children and young people.