Gwangmyeong Art Center Gets Green Light for 2030 Opening

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Yu Je-sung] Gwangmyeong City's plan to construct the Gwangmyeong Art Center, with a targeted opening in 2030, has received approval.

The city announced on the 2nd that the asset management plan for the Gwangmyeong Art Center was passed at the 299th extraordinary session of the Gwangmyeong City Council held on the 1st.

Following approval from Gyeonggi Province's investment review in October last year, the latest resolution has completed most major administrative procedures for construction launch, with only Gyeonggi Province's public architecture review remaining.

Going forward, the city plans to systematically prepare for the remaining Gyeonggi Province review process by conducting architectural planning projects, design competitions, and detailed design work.

The Gwangmyeong Art Center will be constructed on the Gibyeongdo Culture Park site in the area of Iljik-dong 499 with a total project budget of approximately 19.4 billion won, with a total floor area of 2,050㎡, and is being pursued with a 2030 opening target.

Considering regional conditions where cultural infrastructure is relatively insufficient and there is no specialized art museum, the city has been promoting the creation of exhibition-focused cultural facilities to expand citizens' opportunities for cultural enjoyment. The city plans to develop it into a municipal art museum by expanding collections and content in the future.

The space composition will be designed as a complex cultural space featuring exhibition halls, storage facilities, multipurpose rooms, rest areas, and an outdoor sculpture park. In particular, by introducing media facade to the building exterior, artworks will be viewable from both inside and outside, and by combining exhibition production and public information provision functions, the space will secure both openness and symbolism.

Furthermore, the city plans to strengthen the foundation of the local art ecosystem by establishing exhibition and creative infrastructure where local artists and citizens can participate together, thereby promoting collaboration between young artists, art groups, and local communities.

In addition, the city plans to create a "cultural belt" by connecting with rich historical and cultural assets in the vicinity, including the Gibyeongdo Literature Hall, Gwangmyeong Traditional Intangible Heritage Transmission Center, Choonghyun Museum, and Ori Seowon, so that citizens can enjoy richer culture in their daily lives.

Acting Mayor Choi Hye-min (Deputy Mayor) of Gwangmyeong stated, "The Gwangmyeong Art Center will become a citizen-centered cultural platform where art and daily life naturally blend together," adding "We will create an open space where any citizen can appreciate and create art, and enhance the city's cultural competitiveness."