After years of preparation, New Taipei City’s first public art museum, the New Taipei City Art Museum (hereinafter referred to as the Museum), will open on April 25. Mayor Hou Yu-ih made the announcement today (the 9th). Positioned as a public art museum, the Museum aims to be more than just a cultural landmark by seeking to actively engage with citizens, artists, and the broader community through dialogue and collaborative projects. The mayor invites residents to preview the Museum during the soft opening from April 8 to April 13.
A City Museum: Local Roots, Global Reach
Nestled at the confluence of the Yingge River and the Dahan River in the Sanying Reclaimed Land, the Museum is a key cultural initiative by the New Taipei City Government to promote local development and urban renewal. As a driving force for cultural innovation in the city, the Museum integrates art, landscape design, lifestyle aesthetics, cultural tourism, and technology to foster cultural growth and economic development.
As New Taipei City’s first contemporary art museum, it aims to serve local residents, and promote varied artistic voices. Upholding the vision of local roots, global reach, the Museum connects cultural spaces and art communities across New Taipei City, while building international partnerships. Through this approach, it explores how local issues connect to global themes, exemplifying a contemporary museum’s role in public engagement and professional arts development.
A Public Museum Built on Dialogue and Collaboration
The Museum reimagines what an art space can be, grounded in public access and comprehensive learning opportunities. It prioritizes talent cultivation and arts education, at the same time developing innovative models for public participation and interactive learning. It offers programs for all ages, including family-friendly spaces and educational activities. Artist residencies and interactive programs allow visitors to engage directly with creative work and cultural exchange.
The Museum is more than just a place to display art, notes Director Lai Hsiang-ling. “We want to be a responsive institution that listens to our community. By taking an inclusive approach and encouraging dialogue between different groups, we aspire to make a meaningful impact on society.”
Contemporary Reflections, Future Dreams: New Taipei City Art Museum’s Opening Exhibitions
In alignment with its vision and core values, the Museum celebrates its opening with five major exhibitions. “NTCAM Collection: Encounters in Reflection” explores New Taipei City’s artistic heritage. “Reimagining Radical Cities,” an international exhibition, connects local and global art perspectives. “The Ongoing Nature” offers an interactive experience where visitors can participate in art making. The Museum’s Gray Box Space features a commissioned project, “Xindian Boys: Don’t Worry, Baby,” while additional art projects fill the lobby and corridors. Together, these exhibitions serve as a vessel for artistic exchange, and catalyst for creative inspiration, highlighting local culture and global themes, reflecting our present moment while envisioning what lies ahead.
The Museum represents more than just local growth; it is a manifesto about our cultural moment. As a public institution, we work with diverse communities to create a forward-looking cultural space where possibilities are endless.
Join us on April 25 for the opening of the New Taipei City Art Museum, as we begin a new chapter in New Taipei’s artistic journey!