The recipients of the Ministry of Culture's "Acceleration of Cultural Content Development and Innovative Applications of Technology" grants program, which seeks to encourage more original cultural content creation, were announced on July 12.
This year, the program received over 200 submissions for the categories of cultural content development, innovative applications of technology, and industrial development. A total of 29 projects were selected by the Ministry, with a total of NT$125.56 million to be allocated to help expand and advance existing projects.
The 29 winning projects all show a creative use of interdisciplinary approach in improving Taiwan's cultural industry, such as glove puppet theater that incorporates dynamic projection mapping, video games that integrate scenes of Taiwan’s everyday life, AR and VR content development, and new theater repertory.
There are also proposals that seek to enhance the overall cultural industry development by optimizing data science, developing IP systematically, and building community-based ticketing platforms. Projects related to the performing arts were also selected.
Launched in 2017, the program is derived from the Ministry's "Cultural Content, Technology Application, and Innovative Industry Flagship Project." The overall goal is to boost Taiwan's cultural and economic development, encourage the use of local cultural materials, and assist enterprises in upgrading techniques and developing original content to foster international trade opportunities.
The program offers financial aid for projects relating to interdisciplinary applications in audiovisual, literature, publishing, comics and animation, video game, pop music, and heritage fields, seeking to encourage the use of digital technology such as AR and VR in developing new narratives. It also hopes to enhance quality and efficiency of production through connecting the upstream and downstream supply chains of such companies.
The program has encouraged some entrepreneurs to use big data analytics for improving their brand image and public communications, reflecting their attempts to develop more innovative strategies for operation and management, as well as their desire to strengthen connections with international communities.
Through partnering with projects from different industries, the Ministry hopes to stimulate creative and innovative ideas while bringing new energy to Taiwan's culture-driven economy.
Please visit the Grants Information Website for the 2018 list of grant recipients.