Title: An Exploratory Study on a New Performing Arts Support Policy Program adopting the Concept of Cyberspace
Abstract:A new social transformation is expected with the emergence of the fourth industrial revolution, and the effect of such changes on the arts ecosystem has always been an important issue. This study is b...A new social transformation is expected with the emergence of the fourth industrial revolution, and the effect of such changes on the arts ecosystem has always been an important issue. This study is based on the realization of the problem that while social interest in applying immersive media technologies (i.e., VR, AR, and MR) in the performing and visual arts is rising, along with a corresponding increase in government funding, the amount of research on the topic is limited. The purpose of this study is to suggest some useful directions, core elements, and policy implications when the government is interested in supporting performing arts organizations that are willing to use such technology in their creative work. The data collection was conducted in 2016, when the Arts Council Korea started a performing arts support project using the digital virtual space as a part of their new support policy to prepare for the fourth industrial revolution. The study was conducted using a focus group interview (FGI) with performance specialists, technicians in ICT, and performance and policy administrators. The Futures Wheel, the future prediction method designed by <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B50">Jerome C. Glenn (1972)</xref>, was applied as the analytical framework of this study. The results show that performing artists feel uncomfortable about adopting cyberspace and digital technologies in their work because of the high psychological and material opportunity costs. In addition, for the true convergence of digital technology and the arts, the most important issue is embedded in establishing the fundamental philosophy of the policy from the perspective of the arts, reaching mutual understanding on the core terms of the policy, and recruiting professionals who can mediate between artists and technicians.Read More