In efforts to revitalize the local performing arts industry affected by the recent outbreak of the Middle East respiratory syndrome, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Friday a program that will allow theatergoers to purchase two tickets for the price of one.

A total of 30 billion won ($25.7 million) of this year’s supplementary budget has been set aside for this special promotion, ministry officials explained in a press conference.

Each person will be able to purchase a maximum of two tickets at once, amounting to a total of four tickets including the additional free ones. The ministry plans to designate an exclusive reservation website in order to prevent mass ticket hoarding. On-site sales will also be available at Daehangno, Gwanghwamun and other theater-concentrated areas.

The aid will not be restricted to certain genres. All types of performing arts, ranging from plays and musicals to modern dance, b-boy, hybrid and nonverbal performances will be eligible as recipients, in addition to puppet shows and classical, pop and traditional folk music concerts, officials said.

To ensure that the program will benefit smaller scale productions, support will be limited to 150 million won and 100 seats per performance, with the condition that ticket prices are less than 50,000 won per person.

The ministry will be receiving submissions for the program starting Aug. 5, officials said.

Further, the ministry has allotted 20 billion won to support performing arts groups going on regional tours. Around 300 groups will be selected to tour at schools and social welfare centers around the country from September to the end of the year.

The ministry will also be partly covering the rental fees of organizations that are facing temporary management crises in the face of the MERS-induced cultural slump.

By Rumy Doo (bigbird@heraldcorp.com)