This thesis aims to determine the factors that influence the process of cultural policy practice in Taiwanese government institutions where large changes in the local population have affected the ways in which policy is implemented. Globalisation has caused significant transformations in Taiwanese social structures and presented new challenges to local governments. These changes in social structures therefore reflect the need to modify policies.
Taiwan’s post-colonial history where it has been governed by the Qing government, the Empire of Japan and the Kuomingtang (KMT) government resulted in institutions that created and enforced a mono-culture based on a historical connection to China. The promotion and preservation of a Chinese cultural identity subsequently sought to erase the different cultural identities of various ethnic groups in contemporary Taiwan. While multiculturalism was finally acknowledged in the late 1990s and the cultural rights of different ethnic groups recognized; a national Chinese cultural identity was still privileged. The need to balance this Chinese cultural identity with the creation of an emerging Taiwanese identity based on multiculturalism has caused conflict within the nationalistic KMT government. Through an examination of case studies drawn from the UK, Denmark and Taiwan, my thesis seeks to analyse how it would be possible to use public art to address issues concerning different cultural identities as cities become more culturally diverse.
Yi-wen is a research student in cultural policy studies. Since graduating from the University of Greenwich with an MA in Events Management, she worked as an event planner in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, coordinating press conferences with various government departments. Her current research is about factors influencing the process of cultural policy decision making in the UK, Denmark and Taiwan.
