Foreword
Taiwan’s civil society has long been rooted in local communities. Through years of investment and resource integration by multiple government ministries in community building, regional revitalization, and historic site reconstruction, these efforts have come together under the “Taiwan Culture Base” program, which helps bring Taiwan’s cultural landscape into clearer view. With the program, visitors at home and abroad can feel the warmth of Taiwan’s cultural heartbeat, making every day a “Cultural Day” and everyone a “Cultural Citizen.”
The Taiwan Culture Base is also a gateway for the world to better understand Taiwan. It represents the joint efforts of the public and private sectors and stengthens Taiwan’s appeal to international tourists. To understand Taiwan, one can start with its culture bases.
The “Taiwan Culture Base” policy also invites participation from central ministries and all local governments nationwide. By tracing local cultural histories and distinctive stories, developing diverse cultural themes, and strengthening promotion, the initiative aims to help the public recognize the depth and variety of Taiwan’s historical and cultural landscapes, thereby reinforcing Taiwan’s cultural identity.
Progress of the Taiwan Culture Base Initiative
(1) Implementation of the “First Taiwan Culture Base Selection”
Online applications were open from Dec. 3, 2024, to Jan. 15, 2025, receiving a total of 1,026 submissions. Categories included: craft centers, performance venues, independent bookstores, cultural museums, community-building organizations, historical sites, and audiovisual hubs.
(2) Evaluation Process
A review committee composed of 21 experts and scholars from various cultural fields conducted a rigorous evaluation. On Mar. 31, 2025, the Ministry of Culture announced the results of the inaugural Taiwan Culture Base selection. A total of 110 sites were selected and incorporated into the Taiwan Cultural Landscape website, along with related promotional activities.
(3) Six Regional Themes of the Taiwan Culture Base
In align with the Executive Yuan’s “National Six Major Regional Industries and Living Perimeters” policy, the Taiwan Culture Base program is organized into the following regional themes:
- Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, and Yilan: “Danlan New Metropolis (淡蘭新都)”
- Taoyuan, Hsinchu County/City, and Miaoli: “Romantic Smart City (浪漫智城)”
- Taichung, Changhua, Nantou, and Yunlin: “Zhuoshui Fertile Land (濁水沃土)”
- Chiayi County/City, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung: “Southern Creative Territory (南國創域)”
- Hualien and Taitung: “Kuroshio Indigenous Homeland (黑潮原鄉)”
- Lienchiang, Kinmen, and Penghu: “Ocean Archipelago (鯤洋跳島)”
Through cultural routes, river systems, and other connections, these themes highlight Taiwan’s geographical and ecological diversity while showcasing its vibrant cultural richness. In the future, each base will serve as a hub, further connecting with local community organizations, arts and cultural resources, and schools to expand cultural capacity and enrich diverse experiences.
(4) Expected Benefits
Throughout the first term of the Taiwan Culture Base initiative, each selected site will continue operating according to its proposed plans, strengthening connections with surrounding cultural resources and schools, and offering innovative cultural experiences. The goal is to enhance the visibility of local culture, form cultural clusters, reinforce local cultural identity, and cultivate deep cultural roots.
In addition to the Ministry of Culture’s integrated efforts and the continued cultivation of local culture and experiences at each site, local governments will play a crucial role as coordinating platforms. By advancing development from individual points to connected routes and broader regional networks, they will foster cross-sector collaboration among the bases, public facilities, and other cultural partners. This coordinated approach will support the sustained enrichment of local history, cultural narratives, and community identity.