Keimyung Art Center, built to enhance the image of Keimyung University and to provide a theater for the local area, is to open in September 2008. Construction finished on January 27, and some of its facilities are now available for use.

Keimyung Art Center has a huge performance hall equipped with 1932 seats. The school is expecting the center to function as an important performance hall in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk area, fulfilling citizens’ need for culture and providing performances from which they can benefit. However, the center also has some problems to be settled.

First, it needs to establish standards and procedures for attracting performances. Kim Wan-joon, the head of Keimyung Art Center, said, “We are now formulating standards and procedures, and the process will be completed within the next month.” Further, he added that Keimyung Art Center, originally built for artistic performances, will also hold popular music performances, taking into account students’ opinions.

Second, there is a lack of parking spaces. Keimyung Art Center has a capacity of about 640 parking spaces, including the temporary parking lot in the College of Music and Performing Arts. This may cause traffic jam problems.

Third, there is a labor shortage problem. Compared with the staff of thirty six in Daegu Opera House, Keimyung Art Center has a staff of only six.

Lastly, a theater house manager should be hired to manage the center. Theater managers play a role in managing performance halls and providing for guests, so they work in most performance halls in this country. Choi Chan-ho, the president of the Theater Managers’ Association insisted, “To fulfill the expectations of guests, the role of theater manager is essential.” Further, he commented, “Even though the facilities of Keimyung Art Center are comparable to those in Seoul, the design seems more suited to the needs of the university, rather than the users. Therefore, appropriate allowances have to be made for the users.”

Keimyung Art Center should perform the role of providing cultural benefits to the local community. As such, steps should be taken to remedy its problems. Otherwise, there may be problems in attracting performances and in profitability. To make Keimyung Art Center one of the most invaluable facilities in Keimyung University, thorough preparations need to be made.