Skip to main content

NTM | 'Smithsonian Scholars Explore Taiwan'

  • Publish Date:2017-05-31
NTM | 'Smithsonian Scholars Explore Taiwan'

Smithsonian scholars Jared M. Koller and Jasper Waugh-Quasebarth visited Taiwan from April 30 through May 7 to discuss how museums can enhance links with local communities, call upon a number of Taiwanese museums, and visit key archeological sites.


Koller is an honorary researcher of the Asian Cultural History Program at the Smithsonian Institution's Archaeology Department, a digital research fellow at Rafik B. Hariri Institute for Computing and Computation Science, and a website developer for the Cultural Heritage Initiative of the American Oriental Society.


Waugh-Quasebarth is an honorary researcher of the Asian Cultural History Program of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History. His areas of interest include anthropology of crafts, material culture, global mountain regions, and anthropology of work.


They held two forums titled "Community Engagement and Participatory Methods in Museums” - May 2 in Taipei's National Taiwan Museum and May 5 in Taitung's National Museum of Prehistory- discussing how museums can enhance links with local communities and apply digital skills in museum work, including the employment of 3D technology in collecting and promoting cultural artifacts.


The Ministry of Culture and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) also made arrangements for the two scholars to visit Majia (瑪家部落), Tjuvecekadan (老七佳部落), and several other indigenous settlements, and travel to key archeological sites Huilai (惠來遺址), Bashian Caves (八仙洞遺址), and Beinan (卑南遺址).


'Taiwan is an island full of historical influences, cultural diversity, and heritage treasures,' noted AIT American Center Director Alys Spensley. 'We hope that Mr. Koller and Mr Waugh-Quasebarth's visit to Taiwan ... spark inspiring conversation and partnership between U.S. and Taiwan museums, and provide information on how community engagement can be enhanced in museums. AIT is delighted to partner with Taiwan's Ministry of Culture for this unique exchange.'


0503 smithsonian-2.jpg

Koller and Waugh-Quasebarth meet with Taiwanese academics through the "Community Engagement and Participatory Methods in Museums" forum.


NTM | 'Smithsonian Scholars Explore Taiwan'

Koller and Waugh-Quasebarth visit the National Museum of Prehistory in Taitung.


0408 smithsonian-2.jpg

Koller and Waugh-Quasebarth meet with Taiwanese academics through the "Community Engagement and Participatory Methods in Museums" forum.