Asia Culture Center
A national cultural complex in central Gwangju combining exhibitions, performance, research, production and children’s programs around the preserved May 18 historic site
Changing exhibitions, contemporary performance, Asian cultural research, artist production, public programs and dedicated children’s exhibitions and activities
A very large complex with four basement levels, preserved historic buildings at its center, and roof gardens and light wells above linked underground cultural spaces
The old provincial offices remain central at ground level, while most of the new galleries, theaters and research spaces sit underneath. The architecture follows directly from the decision to preserve the May 18 historic site in central Gwangju
Character
The former Jeollanam-do Provincial Office and Democracy Plaza remain at ground level in the middle of the Asia Culture Center. Most of the newer cultural complex was built below them, with roof gardens and light wells covering the underground galleries, theaters, research rooms and children’s spaces
The program is divided among five linked parts: ACC Culture Exchange, ACC Archive & Research, ACC Creation, ACC Theater and ACC Children. The preserved provincial-office buildings belong to Culture Exchange; the other centers add exhibitions, performance, research, production studios and family facilities around the same central site
The experience
The complex has four basement levels. Daylight reaches many interior areas through glass light wells in the roof garden. Above them, the roof is open public space with gardens and paths, so much of ACC’s floor area is barely visible from street level
What you do here depends heavily on the program. ACC Creation hosts changing exhibitions and production-focused projects; ACC Theater presents performances; Archive & Research includes the Asia Culture Museum and research facilities; ACC Children has its own exhibitions and activities. A first visit is easier if you choose one or two of those areas in advance and leave time for the historic buildings and plaza above them
History
The former Jeollanam-do Provincial Office and the surrounding plaza were central sites during the May 18 Democratic Uprising in 1980. Plans for the new national cultural complex therefore included preservation of those buildings and the historic ground around them
Kyu Sung Woo Architects won the international design competition in 2005 with the “Forest of Light” scheme. Much of the new program was placed underground, while the former provincial offices, Democracy Plaza and fountain remained at the center of the site. The roof above the new buildings became a public garden, and light wells were used to bring daylight into the spaces below
The government finalized the Asian Cultural Hub City Development Plan in 2007. ACC construction ran from 2008 to 2014, and the center officially opened on 25 November 2015. In 2022, the National Asia Culture Center and the Asia Culture Institute were integrated into the current ACC organization
Before you go
Check the current exhibition and performance program before deciding how much time to set aside. The five parts of ACC operate differently, and a theater booking, a major exhibition or a children’s visit can easily become the main reason for being here
The preserved provincial-office area and the newer cultural spaces are part of the same complex, so leave some time above ground as well as inside. Culture Complex Station is directly beside the site, making ACC straightforward to combine with the surrounding May 18 historic center
- Hours
- Indoor facilities generally open 10:00–18:00; ACC Archive & Research and ACC Creation extend to 20:00 on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Outdoor facilities open 06:00–22:00. Closed Mondays and New Year’s Day
- Admission
- Admission depends on the space and program. The Asia Culture Museum is free; ACC Creation exhibitions, theater performances and some children’s facilities use separate prices or program-specific tickets
- Access
- Children age 6 or younger must be accompanied by a guardian. Pets, bicycles, motorcycles, inline skates, skateboards and kick scooters are not allowed in the ACC facilities
- Transit
- Use Gwangju Metro Culture Complex Station; exits 5 and 6 serve the ACC area. Numerous city buses also stop at the ACC/Culture Complex stop