The 15th Arts and Business Awards ceremony was held on Jan. 23 at the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. The Ministry of Culture gave out 151 contribution awards and 19 special awards to corporate sponsors and individual donors whose patronage of the arts exceeded a total of NT$2 billion this year. Minister of Culture Lee Yung-te presented the awards and thanked the laureates for providing foundational support to the arts and literary community.
Culture Minister Lee Yung-te noted that amid the pandemic over the last two years, all levels of the world’s economy and culture have been affected to a considerable extent. Despite this, MOC continues to promote various cultural policies, such as the "Culture and the Arts Reward and Promotion Act ( 文化藝術獎助及促進條例)" announced last year.
The recipients of this year's "Special Jury Awards," Hung Chun-hsiung (洪鈞雄), Hsu Chau-shin (許照信) and Lin Bo-ting (林柏亭), have selflessly donated the works of past artists to the government, enriching Taiwan's cultural assets and giving future generations the opportunity to appreciate the works of Taiwan’s outstanding forbearers.
Hsu Chau-shin (許照信), on the other hand, donated the works of Taiwanese artists in Dr. Hsu Hong-yen's (許鴻源) collection. It is the largest overseas donation in Taiwan's art and literary history, which is of great significance and value to the overall research and reconstruction of Taiwan's art history.
"Radiant Opto-Electronics Corporation," which won the special "Annual Creative Award," cooperated with the Kaohsiung Museum of History to create a new shadow puppet theater, and provided professional assistance to improve the shadow puppet lighting. "Linfangjin Charitable Foundation" co-creates and performs with adults with Asperger's syndrome, combining drama and therapy to create a different form of theater.
The "Rongwu Education and Culture Foundation (財團法人融悟文教基金會)," which won the annual creative award, has long been concerned about disadvantaged groups in Taiwan. It supported a project launched by Cloud Gate Dance Theater to encourage older children to gain happiness and positivity through body movements.
"Far Eastern Y.Z. Hsu Science and Technology Memorial Foundation," "TSMC Education and Culture Foundation" and "Universal Scientific Industrial Co., Ltd," which have won the special "Long-term Sponsorship Award," have been supporting Taiwan’s arts and cultural activities and groups for over 16 years.
Chin-ai Music (親愛愛樂), which won the “Cultural and Arts Cultivation Award,” has been working in remote villages for over 10 years to care for tribal children. Frank C. Chen Cultural and Educational Foundation, on the other hand, has been supporting and cultivating cultural and arts organizations in the south for many years.
Grand View Culture & Art Foundation launched the "Hongmei New Talent Award (鴻梅新人獎)" to cultivate the next generation of Taiwanese artists.
Yao Qi-jia (姚啟甲), the founder of the "Taiwan 3000 Arts and Culture Promotion Association (台灣三千藝文推廣協會)," has been promoting traditional culture for many years, conducting courses such as literature and classical poetry, and cultivating domestic talents in arts and culture.