'Culture Vision 2035': Name Change to Asia Performing Arts Company
First Relocation of a National Arts Organization to a Regional City
Anticipation for Cultural and Tourism Revitalization
The Seoul Performing Arts Company, a national arts organization under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, will change its name to the Asia Performing Arts Company and relocate to Gwangju next year. This marks the first time a national arts organization has moved to a region outside of Seoul.
The city expressed its welcome for the relocation of the Seoul Performing Arts Company to Gwangju, stating that it expects this move to greatly contribute to expanding cultural enjoyment for local residents and revitalizing the National Asia Culture Center.
On the 6th, Gwangju City announced that, in accordance with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's "Culture Vision 2035 Project," the Seoul Performing Arts Company will relocate to become a resident company at the National Asia Culture Center (ACC).
The "Culture Vision 2035 Project" contains mid- to long-term strategies for culture, arts, sports, and tourism, including regional cultural balance and global cultural leadership. The Ministry will gradually reconstruct relocation and cooperation models for national arts organizations and institutions to bridge the cultural accessibility gap between the metropolitan area and other regions and to restore the local arts ecosystem.
First, the Seoul Performing Arts Company will be relocated to the National Asia Culture Center next year. The group will also change its name from Seoul Performing Arts Company to the National Asia Performing Arts Company (tentative name). By utilizing the National Asia Culture Center network, they plan to promote international exchanges with artists from various countries and produce repertoire performances using local cultural resources.
Through collaboration between production staff of national arts organizations and local artists, the city will vitalize local performances and gradually promote the relocation of national arts organizations to the regions to allow for joint curriculum development and practical training with local arts universities. The city will also consider the phased relocation of public institutions related to culture and the arts, taking into account facility construction, regional specialization, and the effects of relocation.
The Seoul Performing Arts Company was founded in 1986 as the "88 Seoul Performing Arts Company" following the inter-Korean arts troupe exchange performance in September 1985, with the aim of restoring cultural homogeneity and promoting cultural and artistic exchange between North and South Korea. Since then, it has led the development of Korean performing arts through original Korean musical productions and more.
Kim Seongbae, Director of Culture and Sports, emphasized, "The relocation of the Seoul Performing Arts Company to Gwangju is expected to expand cultural opportunities for local residents by decentralizing the activities of national arts organizations, which have been concentrated in the metropolitan area. We will work with the National Assembly and local arts organizations to ensure the relocation proceeds as planned."
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