The Ministry of Culture has announced the names of five Taiwanese performing art groups that will be given a total of NT$100 million (US$3.39 million) in sponsorship as part of Ministry's "2013 Taiwan Brand” program aimed at promoting Taiwanese cultural performances.
After a careful evaluation by members of a review committee, the Ministry selected five recipients from several art performance group applicants to receive the sponsorship.
This year's recipients are Cloud Gate Dance Theatre Foundation, Ming Hwa Yuan Arts & Cultural Group, Ju Percussion Group Foundation, Paper Windmill Theater and U Theatre Culture & Arts Foundation.
Cloud Gate will receive NT$40 million in funds, while Ming Hwa Yuan, Ju Percussion Group, Paper Windmill Theater and U Theatre will receive NT$15 million each, as part of the Ministry's efforts to provide stable financial resources and help promote local performance groups.
Minister of Culture Lung Ying-tai said that she hoped these outstanding performance groups of Taiwan will establish their presence on the international stage and develop culture as the country's soft power through the "Taiwan Brand” program.
Lung added that the selected groups, which are often invited to perform in other parts of the world or in remote mountainous areas in Taiwan, could expand their audience base and improve the art and culture environment within Taiwan as well.
The application process for the "Taiwan Brand” program ran from Dec. 28, 2012 through Jan. 8, 2013.