Draft Museum Act passed by Executive Yuan

2014-08-11

The draft Museum Act was approved by the Executive Yuan Aug. 7 in Taipei City, underscoring the government’s commitment to keeping the development of such facilities in Taiwan on a strong growth track.

“This legislation marks an important milestone in the history of the nation’s museums as they document civilization and reflect the richness of society,” Minister of Culture Lung Ying-tai said following the approval.

“It offers comprehensive legal support for 746 public and private museums across Taiwan, boosting development in every way.”

Comprising 18 articles, the act enables private museums such as the Museum of World Religions in New Taipei City, which could only register as foundations or companies, to become legal entities and enjoy all related benefits of museums.

“The law is long overdue,” Lung said. “It allows all museums in Taiwan to develop the sale of cultural and creative products along the same lines as their counterparts in the West.”

As part of this undertaking, a state-run firm or nonprofit foundation will be established under the act by the government to assist museums in this regard. In addition, it is to function as an integrated platform for tapping the cultural resources of key facilities such as National Palace Museum and furthering the nation’s cultural development.

The act also provides advisory support and funding for matters such as artifact repair, as well as spurring cross-museum collaboration on art collections, educational initiatives and event promotions.

According to the Executive Yuan, the draft will be submitted to the Legislative Yuan during its upcoming session commencing in September.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=220437&CtNode=413)