The National Culture and Arts Foundation (hereafter referred to as NCAF) and the British Council are to work in collaboration in order to expand international networks by signing a Memorandum of Understanding of Collaboration in Culture and Arts (hereafter referred to as this “MoU”.) Represented and signed by Ms. Mun-Lee Lin, the Chairman of National Culture and Arts Foundation and Ms. Susana Galván, Director of the British Council in Taiwan, this MoU is recognised to establish a relationship of mutually beneficial exchange in three areas of interest, including Arts & Social Inclusion initiatives, Arts and digital innovation, and cultural knowledge and cultural skills. This MoU comes into effect immediately upon signing.
It is the first time that NCAF and British Council sign such a Memorandum of Understating on international cultural relations. The signing of MoU between NCAF and the British Council shall foster and promote greater collaboration and exchanges in the fields of culture and the arts. Both organisations will work together on forward-looking topics and current initiatives; fostering and expanding artistic development and facilitating wider and deeper collaboration and exchanges. The purpose and aim of all these efforts is to inject new energy and ideas into the UK and Taiwan’s arts eco-systems.
The scope of cooperation includes professional exchanges, promotion, research and associated initiatives in the following areas:
- Arts & Social Inclusion Initiatives, including the artistic development and participation of the elderly and the under-represented communities;
- Arts and digital innovation;
- Cultural knowledge and cultural skills
The art forms of collaboration include: Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Literature, Interdisciplinary Arts, Strengthening Cultural and Arts Environment, Cultural and Arts Policy and Arts Sector Professional Development.
To support the development and expansion of Taiwanese art groups and artists’ international networks, the NCAF developed a number of internationally-focused policies in 2015. Not only did NCAF increase its grant schemes, but it also launched the “Projects for International Arts Networks Development" scheme, featuring cooperation through international partnerships. Starting this year, the NCAF has begun reviewing and evaluating its international development work of the past three years, with an aim to integrate external and internal resources, and at the same time, to adapt to the needs of various arts forms. This review will enable the NCAF to better define its international development policies and strategies. In the future, as a national organisation with a leading role, the NCAF aims to actively develop more international networks of exchanges and build long-term stable partnerships with international arts and cultural organisations.
Signing this agreement is a big step forward for both the NCAF and the British Council, which serves as a stepping stone to create and develop many more cultural collaboration and exchanges between Taiwan and the UK. The British Council is dedicated to promote cultural relations and diverse and mutually-beneficial partnerships between Taiwan and the UK; therefore looking ahead, we will be working on cultural accessibility and leadership, supporting art partners in Taiwan to facilitate innovative collaborations and contribute to the building of a more inclusive society. In the future, the NCAF will also connect with arts organisations in Europe, Japan and East Asia through closer partnerships and in-depth interaction, driving Taiwan’s international development forward and extending the NCAF’s capabilities and reach.