A memorandum of understanding on a residency exchange program for indigenous artists from Taiwan and Australia was concluded Nov. 9 by Pingtung County-headquartered Indigenous Peoples Cultural Development Center and Darwin-based Artback NT.
 
Under the pact, talents take up residency for six weeks in an approved arts facility of the other side and stage an exhibition with the assistance of the host nation. Set to run from 2018 to 2019, the initiative is expected to deepen cultural ties between Taiwan and Australia.
 
Following the signing ceremony at the headquarters of the Council of Indigenous Peoples, CIP Deputy Minister Calivat Gadu said the memorandum represents a strong step forward in the development of indigenous peoples culture for Taiwan and Australia. Bilateral collaboration serves as a catalyst for advancing exchanges on cultural and creative industries, as well as talent cultivation, he added.
 
Echoing these remarks, Australia Office Taipei Representative Catherine Raper thanked the signatory organizations and their respective coordinating agencies—the CIP and Northern Territory Government—for financially supporting the milestone collaboration. This is the first time Taiwan and Australia have institutionalized such a program, as previous projects were ad hoc, she said.
 
The memorandum is in line with President Tsai Ing-wen’s New Southbound Policy. A key component of the government’s national development strategy, the policy seeks to deepen Taiwan’s agricultural, business, cultural, educational, tourism and trade ties with the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, six South Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand.
 
According to the latest CIP statistics, Taiwan’s 16 officially recognized indigenous tribes account for 2.3 percent of the nation’s population of 23 million. (CPY-E)