Art is the most beautiful business card for an enterprise! Wu Chun-shan(吳春山董事長), Chairman of Lee Ming Construction(麗明營造股份有限公司), has donated NT$200 million to establish the Little Pig Arts and Culture Hub(小豬藝文基地). This hub centers on the former North District Meat Market Auction Hall(北區肉品市場拍賣館) and has been revitalized through comprehensive redevelopment planning. The hub will be operated and managed by the Taichung City Government’s Cultural Affairs Bureau. Mayor Lu Shiow-yen(盧秀燕市長), attending the groundbreaking ceremony held on July 29, said that the facility will feature a small theater and a themed exhibition hall, set to become the country’s most distinctive and warmly inviting cultural venue. She expressed gratitude to Chairman Wu for his spirit of “taking from society and giving back to society,” exemplifying the dedication of entrepreneurs to public welfare and local community support.

Mayor Lu explained that the site formerly served as a slaughterhouse. To meet the pork supply demands of earlier years, the government personally raised pigs and conducted auctions, with the pigs showcased in the current circular auction hall as if in a “beauty pageant.” As private sector supply systems matured, the public slaughterhouse gradually ceased operations. However, the site had unsanitary conditions and foul odors, making it one of the least desirable areas in the city. Following recommendations from local representatives, the city government initiated a transformation plan. The first phase, the Perfect Pig Park, was completed and opened at the end of last year. Subsequently, construction began last year on Taichung’s largest social housing project, accommodating over 1,000 units, which is expected to be completed by 2029.

Mayor Lu also noted that the original plan was to demolish the auction hall entirely and convert the site into a park. However, upon further consideration, it was deemed regrettable to lose this rare circular structure. The ring-shaped seating holds historical significance and spatial value, leading to the decision to preserve and transform it into an arts and culture hub. She immediately thought of Chairman Wu Chun-shan, a passionate philanthropist and avid art collector, who has long been involved in public works projects. Chairman Wu has also undertaken major construction projects such as the National Taichung Theater and Taichung Arena, and is recognized as the biggest collector of pig-themed artworks worldwide.

Mayor Lu emphasized her gratitude to Chairman Wu and Lee Ming Construction for their full support, stating that this project marks not only the birth of a new venue but also an important milestone in cultural foundation and the adaptive reuse of historical space. The city government plans to invest NT$50 million in theater equipment installation and spatial optimization. The Cultural Affairs Bureau will manage operations, incorporating local teams and youth creative talents to establish a platform that is both innovative and experimental.

Chairman Wu expressed heartfelt sentiments, sharing that he began collecting pig-themed artworks more than 30 years ago and never imagined having a dedicated exhibition space today. To him, this represents the most beautiful arrangement of his life. He also highlighted that the hub preserves old trees, integrates natural elements, and incorporates theater design, envisioning it as Taichung’s most storied and atmospheric cultural landmark in the future.

According to the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the Little Pig Arts and Culture Hub preserves the circular architectural features of the original auction hall and plans to establish two main venues: the “Auction Hall Small Theater” (拍賣館小劇場) and the “Lee Ming Pig Exhibition Hall.”(麗明‧豬展示館) The Auction Hall, transformed from the former meat auction site, covers approximately 847 square meters and accommodates nearly 300 seats. It is planned to serve as a medium-to-small-sized theater suitable for family-friendly performances, music, dance, stand-up comedy, and interdisciplinary shows. The Exhibition Hall, newly constructed on the site of the dismantled slaughterhouse facilities and covering about 643 square meters, is themed around pigs and will host two to three exhibitions annually. These exhibitions will showcase Chairman Wu’s extensive collection of pig-themed artworks gathered from around the world, creating a unique cultural and creative curatorial experience.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau noted that Taichung currently has 766 registered performing arts groups. Although the city boasts medium- to large-scale venues such as the National Taichung Theater and Taichung Chungshan Hall, there remains a shortage of small to medium-sized performance spaces. The Little Pig Arts and Culture Hub will focus on being accessible, open, and multifunctional, offering facilities for performances, creation, artist residencies, and parent-child experiences. This will strengthen the connection between the arts and everyday community life, enhancing accessibility and public participation.

Furthermore, the hub will preserve outdoor green spaces to create a cultural venue that integrates performances with community interaction. Through the introduction of artistic and cultural resources, it aims to stimulate local commerce and educational development, thereby advancing the city government’s vision of “elevating the sense of happiness in the city.”