A draft bill clearing the way for the establishment of the Cultural Content Institute was recently passed by the Cabinet, moving the government closer toward its goal of more effectively promoting Taiwan’s culture and related content on the international stage.
Proposed by the Ministry of Culture, the act contains 35 articles governing the institute’s funding, objectives, operations and supervisory framework. It is based on the Law for the Development of the Cultural and Creative Industries, which was promulgated in February 2010.
Premier Lai Ching-te, who welcomed Cabinet approval of the bill March 8, said the institute will play a front-line role in attracting more professionals from home and abroad to the local cultural content industry, generating additional inbound investment and promoting efficient resource integration.
By adopting a national team approach, the institute is expected to help develop the industry, establish market openings for Taiwan’s audiovisual sector, expand the size of participants and raise output capacity, Lai added.
According to the MOC, the national team approach harnesses the synergies of the ministry in tandem with subordinate organizations the National Culture and Arts Foundation, National Performing Arts Center, Taiwan Design Center and Taiwan Film Institute.
The institute is one of many MOC initiatives aimed at rejuvenating and supporting the industry in the face of challenges like lack of production, limited market size, outflows of talent and stiff competition from imported cultural offerings.
Original, quality content is key to a vibrant cultural and creative industry, as well as one of the most important contributing factors to Taiwan’s economic growth and industrial development, the MOC said, adding that no effort will be spared in ensuring a steady supply of products going forward.
Other responsibilities tasked to the institute include conducting market and industry research, developing the audiovisual, publishing and ACG—anime, comics and games—sectors, fostering talent, operating the National Memories Database, promoting Taiwan content abroad and strengthening the infrastructure of the cultural and creative industry.
The act will be sent to the Legislature for review along with amendments to Articles 5, 7, and 30 of the Law for the Development of the Cultural and Creative Industries. (JSM)
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