The Gangneung International Junior Art Festival officially kicked off as the East Asia Junior Art Festival in 2002, and gradually expanded before renamed as its current name in 2004. It is held between late July and early August on a yearly basis. The festival has been promoting art and cultural exchange for the youth to create new cultural value, under the slogan, “The Century of Culture, Exchange Among Youth, and Eternal Friendship.” In 2008, around 500 members of 16 organizations from 10 countries participated in the festival.