The Nation's First Standard Performance Venue for Disabled Artists to Open

Opening of Modu Art Theater at Chungjeongno Salvation Army Building
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism: "Expanding Creative and Artistic Spaces for Artists with Disabilities"

A performance venue supporting diverse cultural and artistic activities for people with disabilities will open on the 24th. It is the Modu Art Theater, established by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Disabled Artists Development Center on the third floor of the Salvation Army Building in Chungjeongno, Jung-gu, Seoul (area 2014㎡). It opens after about a year of remodeling construction.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This is the first standard performance venue for disabled artists in Korea. As its name suggests, anyone can enjoy all forms of art through performance, creation, education, and exchange. A Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism official explained, “We have expanded creative and artistic spaces and presentation opportunities for disabled artists and established infrastructure such as specialized spaces for visual arts.”

In a 2021 survey on the status of disabled artists conducted by the Korea Disabled Artists Development Center, a significant number of disabled artists cited the lack of facilities for presenting, exhibiting, and performing works (25%) and the lack of rehearsal and creative spaces (23.9%) as factors hindering cultural and artistic activities.

The Modu Art Theater has greatly improved accessibility for creation and viewing in all areas including space, facilities, and services. It is largely divided into four spaces: a medium-sized theater with 250 seats adjustable according to the number of wheelchair seats, a rehearsal room for education and creation, a creative studio for small-scale performances and demonstrations, and a rehearsal/dressing room. A Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism official explained, “The entire space is flat to enhance accessibility for people with disabilities, and the stage is designed without restrictions on activities.” He added, “We secured a passage from the dressing room to the stage and made the stage technical control room wheelchair accessible, paying attention to detailed efforts. We plan to provide various services by appointing house managers and accessibility managers.”

About 150 cultural and artistic figures, including Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoon In-chon, Bae Eun-ju, Executive Director of the Korea Federation of Disabled Artists Organizations, and artist Jung Eun-hye, will attend the opening ceremony. Starting with a pilot performance, ten excellent domestic and international works by disabled artists, as well as creative and planned works, will be carefully selected and presented by February next year. A Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism official said, “We plan to accept applications for regular and occasional rentals twice a year for the performance hall, rehearsal room, and studio as spaces open to everyone,” adding, “We will provide priority rental and usage fee discounts to people with disabilities to expand creative and presentation opportunities for disabled artists.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.