The era, in which culture emerges above the lives of people and the whole of society surface, comes here. Unlike Industrial society which think highly of the social life related to food, clothing, and shelter, in an information-oriented society, solving mental desires through cultural life has become more important.

Also, nowadays, culture offers a link of industry resources as high-valued industry develops. However, unlike these times, artists can't be freely creative and the public can't enjoy culture, because of the lack of culture facilities. To advance this situation, Mecenat-the activity of business' supporting culture, art and sports etc. -is ongoing. 

What is the Mecenat? First the word Mecenat itself is come from a historic character. In the Roman empire, Gaius Cilnius Maecenas, a politician abundantly supported culture and artists financially. Thus Mecenat was first used in America, transforming Gaius Cilnius Maecenas. And a meaning of Mecenat into when a business supports culture, art and sports etc. To restore  society and culture supporting as Marketing is included widely.

Mecenat was a raw concept the past, So the government to promote leadership established the Korean Business Council  for the Arts (KBA) to persuade the economic world and to promote Mecenat in 1994. A result of government, KBA and many groups, about 190 businesses, are doing Mecenat and the amount of supporting reaches about 190 hundred millions. A participant is usually mainly a big business rather than small and medium enterprises. At first, Mecenat was acknowledged as simple contribution, but developed a real contributing to society welfare. 

 That Mecenat to be done actively is influenced by an endeavor of government, media and many business above all KBA influence immensely. Eumee Lew, planning & public relations manager of KBA, said that KBA started from bringing about business' interest first and  bridged to link to the world of culture ,art.

By the way, KBA started to manage directly various programs-award for Mecenat, etc. -. “The reason why an aspect of activity turn to us”, she says, “is to break the situation in which many people have not yet known.” Also Eumee Lew manager adds Mecenat become active as a whole nation's interest increases through various culture events. 

Many Mecenat groups exist in Korea. They are doing Mecenat through advertisement consent, donation, and managing art galleries and halls directly. Among them, Kumho Cultural Foundation(KCF) is raising musically talented performers and musical instrument banks for Mecenat. Hyukju Kwun, a violinist, is being supported by KCF after auditioning in 1998. He says that he could exist thanks to the support of the foundation and his musical life has become happy thanks to his famous violin. He also says that supports of business will have to increase because classical music has a shortage of support.

In America, Mecenat is done as the center activity of businesses. Among many foundations, the Rockefeller Foundation is widely supporting to culture, art, sports besides population problem and education etc. In England and Germany, Mecenat is managed with sponsorship. Because they can receive a 100%deduction of tax. And in France, the benevolent character of Mecenat is shown through a strong business art institution.

Korea and foreign countries have the same purpose.  Support culture and art, and tax deductions are important. But they have many differences. Specifically, in the field of support, while Korea focuses on culture and art, foreign countries are focused on the whole world. And Korea only receives support from big business, but foreign countries receive aid from all kinds of businesses. Korea has to encourage positive cooperation and enlarge support by comparing foreign countries' examples.

Now, only a government has the difficulty of advancing a nation's quality of life. Businesses doing Mecenat, can encourage an investment in the full sentiment of peoples lives. Above all, a good image can be gained by restoring business profits to society and also ameliorate the consumers’ view of the company. 

But Jun-young Choi, General Secretary, Policy Committee, says that there are problems and negative sides for Mecenat to improve. He remarks first a case of business using Mecenat for a marketing strategy. Someone often regards Mecenat as simply that. For example, a certain business says "We will support the handicapped."

But in reality, the rate of employing the handicapped is very low. And Mecenat is used solely, as a profit. Second, he says there’s a problem with business recognition. They think Mecenat is simply granting favors and not a social duty.

Third, he points out, nevertheless there are many benefits to raise a business' images and deduct tax. Finally, a problem for him is that much support is simply short-term, without regard for the big picture. This also hurts young and promising artist, who are cut-off from their development. Mecenat is also ambiguous.

 But even though negative sides and problems exist, we need not see Mecenat as something bad. Thus people have to solve problems. Jun-young Choi, Cultural Action member, maintains an establishment of Public Foundation as a way of helping. He said, “If making a Public Foundation, prevents business from excessively using as advertising, then the public profits more and more.” That is, a public foundation for a private organization and gives help to really deserving areas, and will be self-regulating over time.

 By establishing a Public Foundation, the negative aspects and problems can be relieved. Above all, a significance of establishment is supporting people which don't get support. Through Mecenat, Many people are given the benefits of culture, but the social minority and the poor are often viewed as insignificant. Public Foundation can influence an affirmative effect to even those who are not directly given support.

Mecenat is known 10 years ago in Korea. Compared to this, Mecenat in Korea is still the primary stage. Mecenat is start with a good intention and becomes new concept using it with marketing way. However, Mecenat is moving toward an advancement and higher quality of life through supporting culture, art, making a foundation for cultural development and human prosperity.