In response to the appeal in a press conference on May 20 from various associations of the arts and cultural sector, calling on the government to distribute relief resources simultaneously, Minister of Culture Lee Yung-te (李永得) reiterated that the Ministry of Culture (MOC) will try its best to strive for budget appropriations under the third relief program of the Executive Yuan, and all performing groups, including individual workers, in the relevant sector are eligible to apply for subsidy. Minister Lee added, as the subsidy period is made backdated on May 11, he hopes that the relief program will help workers of the arts and cultural sector to weather through this difficult time.
MOC pointed out that all ministries will implement various relief and revitalization programs in accordance with the “Special Act for COVID-19 Control and Subsidy of Affected Industries (嚴重特殊傳染性肺炎防治及紓困振興特別條例).” The Executive Yuan has submitted to the Legislative Yuan a draft bill to extend the effective period of the special act, which is due on June 30, 2021, for one more year, and raise the amount of the special budget from NT$420 billion to NT$630 billion. The draft bill is pending for approval by the legislature.
MOC has been actively involved in Executive Yuan’s operations and will consider the opinions of legislators and relevant associations of the arts and cultural sector, as well as develop a package of relief subsidies under the third arts relief program. The Ministry said the relief program will be announced as soon as the regulations and budget appropriations are in place, and it will expedite the review and approval process of applications. In principle, an applicant will receive the final approval within a week, as long as the application meets all requirements with necessary documents attached.
MOC emphasized that it will continue to act in concert with the policy of the Executive Yuan, and develop a subsidy program to strengthen its support for all workers in the arts and cultural sector. The ministry is committed to carrying out its tasks under the principle of focusing on prevention and relief, followed by revitalization efforts.