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Ministry of Culture confirms national art bank project

  • Date:2012-12-27

The Ministry of Culture will launch an 'art bank' in January 2013 as well as invest in locally produced television dramas, a government official confirmed on Dec. 27.


The NT$70 million (US$2.4 million) 'art bank' budget proposal is still being reviewed by the Legislature, but the Ministry is scheduled to initiate the project in January, according to Chang Hui-chun, a public relations official at the Ministry.


Under the plan, the Ministry will purchase artworks from Taiwanese artists, especially young artists, and sell or loan the art to companies, government agencies and the public to give the artists more exposure, Culture Minister Lung Ying-tai said.


At a meeting with local business and industry leaders two weeks ago, Lung said she hoped the artworks would be displayed in places such as company offices, hotels and Taiwan's overseas embassies and representative offices. She urged businesses to help promote Taiwanese artists throughout the world


Business leaders, including Regent Hotels and Resorts Chairman Steven Pan, have already expressed interest in renting some artworks, Chang said, adding that more details of the 'art bank' project will be unveiled early next year.


The Ministry has also budgeted NT$190 million (US$6.5 million) for the production of five television drama series over the next few years. Addressing public over how mainland Chinese dramas were gaining popularity over local ones among Taiwanese viewers, the Minister promised to make funds available to the local TV industry to produce high-quality dramas.


Lung concluded that more efforts will be made to promote Taiwan's emerging artists and to help the local cultural creative industries make inroads into other Asian markets.