Aesthetic Governance in Hsinchu

The Cultural Affairs Bureau of Hsinchu City oversees a vibrant network of major cultural and artistic venues, including performance halls, art museums, libraries, museums, and the Railway Art Village. Guided by the vision of “Aesthetic Hsinchu,” the Bureau integrates beauty, creativity, and cultural vitality into everyday urban life. This approach has earned national recognition. In CommonWealth Magazine’s 2025 Sustainable Happiness Cities Survey, Hsinchu City achieved a remarkable rise to first place nationwide in the CULTURE and education category, reflecting the effectiveness of its cultural governance. In 2025, the Bureau received 32 International Awards Associates (IAA) honors across major platforms, including the MUSE Design Awards, French Design Awards, TITAN Innovation Awards, London Design Awards, and NYX Awards. In addition, two significant projects were shortlisted for the iF Design Award, with final judging to be held in Germany, highlighting Hsinchu’s growing international presence in design and innovation.

A flagship initiative, the Hsinchu City Children’s Play and Arts Festival, is held annually during the Children’s Day long weekend at Hsinchu Park. Combining art, culture, and technology, the festival has become one of Taiwan’s most anticipated family events. In 2025, it attracted a record 365,000 visitors over four days and received seven IAA-affiliated design awards, including the MUSE Design Platinum Award and French Design Platinum Award. Other major events curated by the Bureau—such as the Animation and Comic Festival, Halloween Festival, and Grass Story Festival—also reached historic attendance levels in 2025, with satisfaction ratings exceeding 93%. The 2026 New Year’s Eve Countdown Event drew over 62,000 participants. Activities and venues organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau attract more than 2 million visitors annually. In recognition of these achievements, the 2026 budget of the Cultural Affairs Bureau increased by more than 400%, reaching USD 70 million, positioning Hsinchu City as a leading cultural innovator nationally and internationally.

Colleagues across the Cultural Affairs Bureau are able to fully unleash their creativity. All seven divisions have received international design awards, including honors from the IAA Awards, the iF Design Awards, and the Good Design Awards.