Federation for Asian Cultural Promotion (FACP), the first transnational culture and performing arts platform in Asia that celebrates its 43rd year, has weathered over three years of pandemic challenges. Now it is set to reunite with its artistic and cultural partners from the Asia-Pacific region from November 23rd to 26th, 2023, at the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying).
The FACP Annual Conference has always been a highlight event for the performing arts and culture industries across the Asia-Pacific region. In 2019, the FACP Annual Conference was held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in Manila, where the Artistic Director of Weiwuying, Wen-Pin Chien, proposed that the 2020 conference be held at their newly completed venue – the Center for The Arts, Arts for The People. This proposal received enthusiastic responses from all governors. However, the unforeseen impact of the pandemic disrupted international travel, leading to the conference being held online in 2020. This time, after four years of waiting, the plan can finally come to fruition. The FACP will join hands with Weiwuying in celebration of Weiwuying’s 5th anniversary to embrace new trends in the arts and culture sector in the post-pandemic era.
To Joyce Chiou, the President of FACP starting January 2023 and Artistic Director of the National Taichung Theater, the strength of the FACP lies in its diversity. As the earliest culture and performing arts platform in Asia, the FACP has given rise to various flourishing arts and cultural organisations in the 21st century, each with its own asset. Examples include the Association of Asia Pacific Performing Arts Centres (AAPPAC), focusing on venue operations; the Alliance of the Asia Pacific Region Orchestras (AAPRO), concentrating on orchestra operations; and the many Performing Arts Fairs in Mainland China, which connect agents and presenters alike.
In contrast, FACP brings together representatives from performing arts institutions/venues, artists and creators, artistic agencies, corporate representatives, academics, and cultural policy executives, exhibiting a diverse and inclusive nature. It encompasses a wide range of cultural and performing arts professionals, providing a platform for experts to network and exchange ideas. This, in essence, encapsulates FACP's unique value.
The 39th FACP Annual Conference in 2023 centres on the theme "Next Stage, Green Generation – Sustainability in Culture and Performing Arts” in response to appeals in sustainability and the mutual relationships between human and nature. On the one hand, eight representatives from member cities will share their cultural policies in supporting the sustainability and environment friendly. On the other hand, in reaction to the "2050 Net Zero Emissions" mission, the Annual Conference aligns with Taipei National University of the Arts (TNUA) to discuss comprehensively on the future of arts in terms of cultural policies, venue facilities, operating strategies, festival organisations, productions and technology.
Over the past decades, the FACP has played a significant role in the development of international arts and culture. In this year's Annual Conference, the FACP introduced two innovative themes – the “What's Up Café – Clinics for Arts” and “Pitch for New Aspects – Clare C. & Friends Fellowship” project. While the former aims at passing on experiences to young generations of arts professionals, the latter aspires to honour our cultural heritage as we move towards the future.
To specify, the “What's Up Café – Clinics for Arts” brings together FACP governors who are also artistic and cultural leaders across the Asia-Pacific in sectors, including arts presenters, arts management, performing arts groups, the academy, musicals, sound engineering, and cultural venues. Mentees will have the opportunity for in-depth discussions with their mentors, gaining valuable insights into the industry.
The "Pitch for New Aspects” project pays tribute to FACP's co-founder, Mr. Hsu Po-Yun, through artistic creations from the new generations to honour the enduring spirit of arts and culture. Joyce Chiou expressed that Hsu Po-Yun was a visionary of his time. In a time when the exposure to international performing arts was limited in Taiwan, it was Hsu Po-Yun that sowed the seeds in arts activities. Under his direction, New Aspect Promotion Co. was not only an arts presenter or manager, but marked numerous "firsts" in Taiwanese history, having paved ways for countless arts enthusiasts. Joyce Chiou was deeply moved by Hsu Po-Yun's dedication to arts, unwavering spirit, and unconditional contribution. As a homage, the "Pitch for New Aspects” project hopes to prompt young creators and entrepreneurs to turn their reflections on cultural roots into power for new creations – an epitome to "start from tradition, infuse contemporary spirit, and embrace artistic sustainability."
This edition of the FACP Annual Conference is a collaboration among Taiwanese partners from north to south. The conference is co-hosted by the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying), with the participation of the Taipei National University of the Arts, National Sun Yat-sen University and National Taichung Theater, and strong support from the Clare C. & Friends Fellowship. The aim is to cultivate the seeds of arts and culture in Taiwan, allowing them to flourish perpetually.
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