TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's most populous municipality unveiled an ambitious cultural landmark on Friday (April 25) as New Taipei City officially opened its first major art museum. Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) presided over the inauguration of the New Taipei City Art Museum, designed by renowned Taiwanese architect Kris Yao (姚仁喜) and strategically positioned in the historic ceramics district of Yingge (鶯歌), adjacent to the under-construction Sanying Line (三鶯線) mass rapid transit station.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together key cultural and political figures, including Museum Chairman Liu Ho-jan (劉和然), Director Lai Hsiang-ling (賴香伶), and Taiwan's Deputy Minister of Culture Li Ching-hui (李靜慧), alongside international art community representatives. Visitors can immediately experience four inaugural exhibitions, with the centerpiece being "Reimagining Radical Cities," a collaborative project featuring 25 artists from Taiwan and abroad that examines urban development challenges through perspectives from developing regions while highlighting New Taipei's evolving cultural identity.
Beyond its architectural significance, the institution embraces cutting-edge technology and environmental consciousness. Smart features include digital information displays, real-time visitor analytics, and multilingual audio tours, while the structure itself has earned green building certification under Taiwan's sustainability standards. This NT$2.94 billion (US$90.5 million) cultural investment encompasses both the main facility and an expansive outdoor sculpture park, with future artist residency programs planned to foster creative collaboration across disciplines.
During his remarks, Mayor Hou provided an update on the critical transportation infrastructure supporting the museum's accessibility, revealing that dynamic testing of the Sanying MRT line is progressing well. The transit connection, scheduled for completion in December with passenger service launching in 2026, will significantly improve visitor access from central Taipei. Hou concluded by committing additional municipal funding toward cultural initiatives, positioning New Taipei City to emerge as a significant creative center in East Asia. ★
