Bringing art into everyday life and adding color to Taichung’s urban landscape, the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Taichung City Government continues to promote the Taichung Art Spot Program, working with private-sector partners to create a more vibrant cultural environment. This year, five new Art Spots have joined the program, including Star Hostel Taichung Parklane, DYC.Coffee at Taichung Library Xi Dong Branch, eslite spectrum 480, Yee Chain and the Xiangshang Campus of Kuang Tien General Hospital. A press conference celebrating the the new Art Spots was held on the morning of September 4.

Deputy Director of the Cultural Affairs Bureau Shih Chun-fu said that, since the launch of the program, a total of 115 private-sector partners have joined the initiative. Participating Art Spots span a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, dining and hospitality, arts and cultural exhibition, arts education and tutoring, as well as retail and department stores. Each Art Spot serves as a small spotlight for the city’s aesthetics, illuminating the creative energy found throughout Taichung and showcasing the city’s rich cultural heritage and potential for innovation.

Shih also noted that the addition of new partners will further enrich the city’s artistic atmosphere and deepen residents’ engagement with culture in their everyday lives. He expressed the hope that the growing network of Art Spots will continue to bring more art into everyday life throughout Taichung.

The Xiangshang Campus of Kuang Tien General Hospital, the venue for today’s press conference, is committed to creating a new healthcare environment that incorporates art and cultural experiences as part of the healing process. Kuang Tien General Hospital Superintendent Wang Nai-Phon said that art is not only something to be appreciated, but can also help people manage stress and foster social interaction in their daily lives. In recent years, Kuang Tien General Hospital has promoted lifestyle medicine and health promotion, expanding its focus beyond disease treatment to include lifestyle factors that affect health, such as stress management and social connections.

By joining the Taichung Art Spot Program, the hospital will provide patients and visitors with more opportunities to experience art in a healthcare setting through exhibitions, live performances, and health and humanities activities. The initiative will also create diverse connections between artistic experiences and healthy lifestyles, allowing art to play a greater role in everyday life.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau noted that Star Hostel Taichung Parklane, which has long promoted green and sustainable lifestyles, has joined the Art Spot network this year. DYC.Coffee at Taichung Library Xi Dong Branch, surrounded by the aroma of books and coffee, offers a relaxing and welcoming space for visitors. eslite spectrum 480, a lifestyle and cultural destination that brings together different fields and disciplines, provides an ideal place for families to explore together. Yee Chain, meanwhile, incorporates textile craftsmanship into sustainable practices. Each participating partner brings its own unique spatial concept and arts and cultural programming, enriching residents’ artistic experiences in their daily lives.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau explained that the city government aims to work with the private sector to transform spaces across different industries into venues where art can flourish. Businesses and organizations that are capable of planning and implementing at least four arts and cultural events each year and have safe and suitable exhibition or performance spaces may apply during the designated application period.

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