The press conference for the special exhibition "Taiwan Craft Stage (台灣工藝演譯28＋)" was held on Dec. 2. At the opening ceremony, Culture Minister Lee Yung-te announced the Taiwan Craft Competition, which has been held for 28 years, will be transformed into "Taiwan Craft Award (台灣工藝獎)," hoping to drive the development of the industry.
Those present at the ceremony included director Chang Jen-chi (張仁吉) of the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute (NTCRI), chairman Wu Xin-yang (吳昕陽) of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Cultural and Educational Foundation, Taiwan Lacquer Culture Association chairman Wang Hsien-min (王賢民), Top Taiwan Handicraft Arts chairman Yeh Chih-cheng (葉志誠), Taiwan Crafts Development Association chairman Liu Wu (劉武), and Association of Taiwan Crafts Workshop chairman Wang Lung-te (王龍德).
Minister Lee stated that crafts play an important role in Taiwan's art field. As Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) attached great importance to the industry, he specially informed the Legislative Yuan to increase the budget for craft centers and the Ministry of Culture last year. Lee also mentioned that he strongly supports the proposal made by NTCRI to transform Taiwan Craft Competition into Taiwan Craft Award. Not only the number of awards will be increased, but also the works will be highlighted. It is hoped that these awards will be able to enhance the creative energy and quality, driving the upstream and downstream ecological chain of crafts.
From now until Jan. 11, 2023, the "Taiwan Craft Stage," organized by NTCRI, will tour in cities of Taipei, Taichung, and Tainan. In the exhibition, the handbooks of the previous Taiwan Craft Competitions are on display. NTCRI director Chang said this is not just an exhibition, but more importantly, it is a stage for the craft award transformation. He added that, in the future, NTCRI will put more effort in assisting craft creators and deepening the connection between enterprises and industries, and building a support system for Taiwan's craft industry from various aspects including research and development, education, funds, and museum collections.