Ministry of Culture to accept coronavirus relief applications starting March 18.
The first round of applications for the Ministry of Culture's coronavirus relief package for the cultural and arts sectors will be accepted between March 18 and April 10, with applications processed in batches to speed up allocations. Review of the first batch is expected to be completed by the end of March, with funds distributed in early April at the soonest. After April, the Ministry will review the pandemic situation and make a follow-up announcement regarding a second round as soon as possible.
The Ministry made its first announcement on March 17 regarding the
"Guidance on Applications for COVID-19 Subsidies to Mitigate Operational Difficulties in the Cultural and Arts Sectors (文化部對受嚴重特殊傳染性肺炎影響發生營運困難產業事業減輕營運衝擊補助申請須知)." This announcement focused on Taiwanese businesses and individuals working in culture and the arts whose operations were affected between Jan. 15 and March 31 by the outbreak of COVID-19, and covers important information on applicable subsidies, application processes, and necessary documentation.
Arts and cultural businesses may apply for either or both of two subsidy types, namely subsidies for reducing operational difficulties and for boosting response to the situation. In each round of such subsidies, businesses will be eligible for a maximum of NT$2.5 million across both categories. Individuals in these industries, meanwhile, can apply for a maximum of NT$60,000 in subsidies for reducing operational difficulties.
On March 12, the Ministry announced the
"Relief and Revitalization Measures for the Cultural and Arts Sectors Impacted by COVID-19 (文化部對受嚴重特殊傳染性肺炎影響發生營運困難產業事業紓困振興辦法)," which stipulate that arts and cultural enterprises applying for subsidies must be "incorporated or registered in Taiwan as legal persons, unincorporated organizations, or businesses operated by a holder or holders of Republic of China (Taiwan) citizenship" that have been impacted by the pandemic. In the case of individuals, they must be "ROC (Taiwan) citizens who have had contracts or similar agreements impacted by the pandemic" to be eligible for aid.
The subsidies are divided into two categories — one focused on reducing operational difficulties and one on boosting responses. The former are available to assist with costs including staff pay, event cancellations/postponements and associated refunds, and venue/equipment rentals.
The latter, meanwhile, are aimed at aiding the arts and cultural industries in responding to the impact of the pandemic through boosting operational capabilities during this period, planning for innovation and development, training staff, organizing rehearsals, improving technical capabilities, and conducting digital marketing campaigns. As such response efforts require time, these subsidies will apply to efforts extending beyond March 31.
The Ministry is committed to responding to the COVID-19 pandemic on the principle of focusing first on prevention and relief, followed by rapid revitalization efforts. After
the March 12 announcement of the Measures, a special relief-and-revitalization budget was passed on March 13 with the support of the Legislative Yuan, which together with the Ministry's package of relief subsidies, relief loans, administrative preparations, and stimulus measures, accounts for a total investment of NT$1.5 billion in sheltering the arts from the coronavirus.
In addition, the Ministry has also published a FAQ relating to these subsidies, along with graphic application primers and other information in Mandarin for those interested in applying for COVID-19 subsidies at the
"COVID-19 Relief and Revitalization Measures Platform (文化部協助受疫情影響之文化藝術事業防疫及紓困振興專區)." The
Ministry of Economic Affairs has also set up a special coronavirus section on its website, complete with an automated chat bot to assist potential applicants.
Read the original press release here.
Application primer for community builders Application primer for operators of museums, local cultural centers