The ACC: Building a Connection

Last summer came to a close with pulsing beats from nine countries echoing through the outdoor stages of the Asian Culture Complex. The fifth annual Gwangju World Music Festival attracted over 80 international musicians and hundreds of visitors eager not only to hear the performances, but also to catch a glimpse of the new complex.

“It was great that I could go into the ACC,” said a festival visitor. “I hope that I’ll have many chances to watch performances in the future.” This was the first major event hosted by the ACC—which began construction in 2008 and is slated to officially open in 2015—but this public debut reflected a principle goal of the complex: the promotion of cultural diversity and exchange.

With construction costs hovering around an estimated 688.3 billion won, and a facility covering approximately 160,000 square meters, the ACC is the largest and most ambitious arts project in Korea’s history. The ACC is the realization of a 2002 presidential campaign pledge by Roh Moo-Hyun to “foster Gwangju as a cultural capital.” In 2004, his administration launched the Hub City of Asia initiative, focused on bringing overlooked mid-sized cities such as Gwangju, Jeonju and Gyeongju to the international forefront of culture and innovation. The ACC hopes to become a magnet for dialogue and collaboration, specifically among Asian nations.

Addressing a crowd during the Asian Journalist’s Culture Forum held in 2013, Yoo Jin-Ryong, Korea’s outgoing Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism stated, “We expect the Asian Culture Complex to be a place for the cultures of Asian countries to be shared, exchanged and blended, allowing for Asia to become one by transcending race, language, ideology and customs.”

Designed by architect Woo Kyu-Seung, the state-of-the-art facility houses five performance spaces including a 2,000-seat grand hall, a culture academy, two exhibition halls, a research center, a children’s museum, two libraries, as well as other versatile spaces. Woo’s sleek design places most of the facility underground, while the plazas above project the rallying spirit of the May 18th Democratic Uprising.

The ACC is divided into five major departments: the Cultural Exchange Agency, Asian Culture Information Agency, Cultural Promotion Agency, Asian Arts Theatre and Edu-Culture Agency for Children. The Cultural Exchange Agency’s aim is to construct exhibits that promote democracy and peace. The Asian Culture Information Agency will focus on Asian cultural research and training. The Cultural Promotion Agency is tasked with energizing the local economy through cultural programs. The Asian Arts Theatre will support contemporary performance art. Finally, the Edu-Culture Agency for Children will create programming for children.

The ACC is also tapping resources from the local ex-pat community. Jordan VanHartingsveldt, a Canadian English and science teacher at Samyook Elementary School, has been volunteering with the Edu-Culture Agency for Children to create educational programs for the center. He began with creating interactive exhibits that teach students about periods in Asian history, and developed simplified versions of Asian sports such as bo taoshi and jai alai that would be suitable and safe for children.

“Probably the biggest project I’ve been tasked with, though, is developing an educational program that could potentially be introduced into schools all across Korea,” said VanHartingsveldt. “I decided to work on a series of quizzes which will help separate students by thinking process and learning style.”

He believes that his new method, if adopted, could improve Korean education by drawing educators away from rote memorization to a more flexible curriculum that benefits various learning styles.

VanHartingsveldt appreciates the opportunity to work with this ACC project and feels that its impact could be felt throughout Asia.

“As the population of students and factory workers from across Asia rises, it is beneficial to have a space where all are represented in a positive light and serve as a beacon around which civility and compassion become the rule,” said VanHartingsveldt.

The Korea Culture and Tourism Institute estimates the ACC will receive 1.67 million visitors annually. This could mean a tremendous boost to Gwangju’s economy.

“The ripple effect [on] the local economy and effect of job creation are expected to cluster with local artists, craftsmen, universities and industries,” said Choi Jong-Man, President of the Institute of Asian Cultural Development.

Choi estimates that 36,000 jobs will be created, particularly in the tourism industry, and the ACC will directly employ about 1,000 people.

“The ACC can lead internationalization of the city and [stimulate] the economy through attracting international events to a [local venue],” said Choi.

The official opening of the ACC will conclude the second part of a four-stage strategy that will end in 2023 and is designed to secure the complex’s prominence. The ACC has plans to work closely with the city to enhance the competitiveness of Gwangju’s tourism industry.

“We’re planning [to collaborate by] temporarily opening the complex in conjunction with Gwangju Summer Universiade and [other events in] the city, “ said Choi. “Moreover, we’re [working to change] deserted houses or old facilities into a cultural strongpoint in the old downtown [area]. In addition, we’ll prepare ways to connect with the Gwangju Folly.”

However, Choi stresses that these facilities were not developed solely to gain international recognition, but also to improve the lives of Gwangju’s citizens.

“Local people can watch performance arts of high quality [here]. They don’t [have to go] abroad.”