In 1999, based on the legislation of the act called A Special Law for the Encouragement for the Use of Assets of Closed Schools and its enforcement ordinance, the momentum for a variety of uses of the assets of closed schools was initiated. It has bee...
In 1999, based on the legislation of the act called A Special Law for the Encouragement for the Use of Assets of Closed Schools and its enforcement ordinance, the momentum for a variety of uses of the assets of closed schools was initiated. It has been reinforced by the recent amendment that changed the suggested use of a closed school to a cultural space from the exclusive use as educational space.
Many local and regional governments in Korea have developed various plans for "the creative use of closed schools" in their areas recognizing that it could be an efficient solution to the request of cultural enjoyment, social welfare and educational inspiration from their own residents. The redefinition of the closed schools as a cultural facility from the limited conception for the educational and social welfare and the revision on the authority entitled to manage the assets of a closed school enabled us to assess the potential of its redevelopment.
This Study investigates the immense possibility for closed schools as a multi-cultural complex where there are various arts disciplines in one spot by looking into some cases that illustrate a distinctive space composition and programming strategies.
My point is that the "mixed-use strategy" for the use of the closed schools deserves to be examined; the complex may include social, economic and leisure related contents as well as cultural activities, by which the space itself would become the core living space for its regional life.
By containing a wide variety of programs such as cultural creation, exhibition, participation by the people, education, day-to-day living space, and local community center in one complex, a closed school will be redeveloped as a multi-cultural center. Such a center will provide the residents with the possibility to enjoy themselves in one complex without going somewhere outside the region meanwhile encouraging them to participate in many programs that the center offers.
The comprehensive use of the space contributes to the quality life for the local residents. To illustrate, the major expectations for the center from visitors fall into the following three realms: cultural activities in the field of performance arts and visual arts; educational programs and an archive information system; offerings of space for meetings and film screenings. However, it is not enough to satisfy the constituents to take only the above mentioned cultural programs. What I point out is that the facilities and programs for leisure and entertainment should be included for the public.
In this respect, I tried to find out more potential for the redevelopment of closed schools by doing some research on the case of KT&G Sangsangmadang, Nonsan. Sangsangmadang Nonsan used to be an elementary school called Hancheon elementary school, and it was established as "suburban cultural space" as part of the efforts for the creation of the social value and improvement of local infrastructure by the KT&G. By providing the community-oriented education and the opportunities for participation, Sangsangmadang Nonsan positions itself as an essential venue for the creative education while increasing more platforms for domestic artists. The ultimate goal of the complex, therefore, is a unique cultural complex where the people enjoy culture breathing in the nature.
As a good example of a multi-cultural complex, KT&G Sangsangmadang Nonsan offers cultural space to the public, supports various cultural disciplines, which contributes to the enhancement of the positive corporate image with the regional cultural prosperity.
In conclusion, a multi-cultural complex may broaden its perspective by taking the 'mixed-use' strategy as the cultural hub for a region; That is to say that by taking the strategy of containing various programs of exhibition, education, and leisure as well as performing arts, closed schools could be redeveloped as a cultural complex with a new concept and vision. In addition, it should be noted that a multi-cultural complex established at the corporate level may prove the corporate social responsibilities, which contributes to the communication and interactions among the people and the relevant company.