I. Program Objectives

Tsung-yeh Arts and Cultural Center in Tainan City is the result of the fusion of an old sugar refinery with multicultural ideas to form a unique space. With years of effort, Tsung-yeh Arts and Cultural Center has established itself as a center for arts, crafts and culture while producing valuable creative works in Tainan. Through providing the working space and encouraging resident artists to communicate with the locals, we hope to promote this historical site not simply as a place for exhibitions, but rather an important gathering site for international arts and artists.

II. Organizing Units

Advisor: Ministry of Culture
Organizer: Cultural Affairs Bureau of Tainan City Government
Executive Organizer: Tsung-yeh Arts and Cultural Center

III. Program Description

A. Theme:

1. The theme for 2027 is “Site-Specific Art”. Artists shall observe the following contexts of Tainan City before creating works. The hydrology (including river basin and water management system), physiography (archaeological studies, soil, meteorology, or topographical variations), ecology (aquatic, amphibian, and terrestrial fauna and flora in the area), humanities (indigenous, agricultural, river-related, or ecology-related culture).
2. Qualification: 
   • Art Category: Open to all artistic disciplines.
   • Language Proficiency: Applicants must have basic communication skills in English or Chinese.
   • Project requirements: Applicants must submit a residency project plan based on the theme. Applicants are also encouraged to use Tainan's rich cultural assets or incorporate the environment of Tsung-yeh in the works.

B. Residency Location:
    Tsung-yeh Arts and Cultural Center (No. 5, Tsungyeh, Nanshi, Village, Madou District., Tainan City 721)

C. Schedules:

1. Application Period: From now to September 10, 2026 (Thursday) 23:59 (Taiwan time)
2. Review Period: September 2026
3. Residency Period: January 4 ,2027 to August 30, 2027 (tentative).
   *Please select and rank 3 preferred terms on the application system. The opening date and the exhibition period will be discussed after the artist is selected. And the minimum residence is 45 days, with a maximum of 90 days.

D. Application Process:

1. Applications are accepted online only. Fill out the application form on the AIR in Tainan global online application website http://air-culture.tainan.gov.tw/. Please complete the application before the deadline.
2. Applicants must upload a personal resume, residency project plan, and recommendation letters for reference.

E. Selection Process:

1. Open selection. The review committee, composed of experts and scholars appointed by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, will conduct the selection process based on principles of objectivity and fairness. Review meetings are not open to the public to respect applicants' privacy.
2. Results will be announced in late November 2026 on the official websites of both the Tainan City Government Cultural Affairs Bureau and Tsung-yeh Arts and Cultural Center, and Tsung-yeh’s Facebook page. Selected applicants will be notified via email. Individual feedback on the selection results will not be provided.

F. Program Regulations and Execution Plan

1. Artists must be capable of conducting independent field research and be able to independently plan, execute, and manage their residency projects.
2. Artists can apply for residency living expenses and creation fees (including personal income tax ranging from 6% to 20% for foreigners and Second-Generation National Health Insurance fees), the grant amount will be determined during the review committee meeting. The maximum grant per case is NT$30,000 per month, up to three months (totaling NT$90,000).
3. Since 2016, selected artists must pay an additional stamp duty (0.1% of the grant amount) in cash, which is not included in the grant amount.
4. Selected artists must hold one achievement exhibition of their work and (at least) one parent-child workshop at Tsung-yeh Arts and Cultural Center before the end of their residency.
5. 5-1. During his/her residency, each artist will be provided with:
   • a suite for accommodation (no charge for the room, utility bills, showering facilities. Personal items, such as towels and toothbrushes, are not provided).
   • a bicycle.
   • an exhibition space (including the setting of lighting rails, air conditioning, and relevant equipment).
   5-2. During his/her residency, the artist can have free access to:
   • multimedia devices (used for the exhibition, including projectors, monitors, speakers, and lights. For more details, the list is posted on the official website).
   • a shared artist studio (with tables, chairs, and room partitions).
   • hardware tools required for creating artworks, such as electric drills.
     *For artists who need to use these tools, please fill in the equipment requirement list on the application system. Equipment that is not available should be prepared by the artist.
   5-3. During his/her residency, the artist will be facilitated with administrative support from Tsung-yeh Arts and Cultural Center. As for the projects requiring specific technical support, the artist should hire professionals to facilitate the progress.
6. The maximum “budget for materials used in the creation and exhibition production” is NT$150,000 (VAT included). The expense can be used in: the consumables, services, and structures required to complete the exhibition, workshop, and performance, including:
   • materials needed for the exhibits (artwork shipping cost and transportation expenses for field research are not included).
   • woodwork, painting, and printing for the exhibition.
   • flyer design and printing (at least 500 copies).
   • Chinese or English translation.
   • artwork insurance.
   • press conference for the opening
   • materials needed for the workshop
   • These funds are not disbursed directly to individual artists. Items or services listed above shall be procured by Tsung-yeh Arts and Cultural Center through government procedure.

   *Please fill in materials needed on the application system before the residency.*

7. Living expenses and creation fees will be paid in installments according to the contract. All payments must comply with government reimbursement procedures, which are subject to the accounting approval timeline. Artists are advised to prepare at least one month's living expenses in advance (approximately NT$15,000-20,000) to cover urgent needs.
8. Any questions about the content above should be raised during the application period or before signing the contract after selection.

H. Important Notes Notice

1. Application Period:
   • If the applicant has already participated in other domestic or international residencies in the current year, they must disclose this at the time of application.
   • Applicants must include at least one recommendation letter with a handwritten signature or digital signature, from individuals, corporations, or groups, not necessarily government-registered. Any case of forgery will result in disqualification.
     *Please note: Recommendation letters must be uploaded through the application system by the deadline. Once the system closes, you will not be able to submit them via email.
   • If the residency project requires assistants (anyone other than the applicant/team), this must be specified in the project plan (including reasons, number of assistants, and job description). If approved, the assistants' expenses (personnel, creation, transportation, and living costs) will be included in the grant amount, without additional funding.
   • Selected artists can apply for accommodation. However, to ensure the safety, hygiene, and rights of other resident artists, the accommodation is for the artist only, not for companions, family members, assistants, or pets..
2. Residency Period:
   • Artists must participate in AIR exchange activities arranged by the executing organizers. If there are special circumstances, please notify us in advance.
   • Artists who do not reside for at least two-thirds of the residency period as per the contract will be disqualified.
   • The ownership and copyright of the artworks created during the residency belong to the creator. However, Tsung-yeh Arts and Cultural Center reserves the right to exhibit, present, and publish the works for educational and promotional purposes through the images and exhibitions of the artworks. Artists must guarantee that the publications and projects do not infringe the copyright of others. If the organizers suffer losses due to the above circumstances, the artists shall be fully liable for compensation for the organizer.
   • If the created works require assembly or disassembly, the artist must provide an "assembly guide" (illustrating how to assemble and store the work) to facilitate flexible storage by the organizer.

I. Other Information:

Applicants should read the "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)" beforehand on the AIR in Tainan registration website(bilingual) during the application period. If you have any questions, please contact:

Phone: +886-6-5718123 ; Email: tainantsungyeh@gmail.com
Tsung-yeh Arts and Cultural Center Official Website: http://tyart.tnc.gov.tw/
Tsung-yeh Arts and Cultural Center Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TsungYehArtsandCulturalCenter/
Tsung-yeh Arts and Cultural Center YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@tsungyehartsandculturalcen6540  
Tainan City Government Cultural Affairs Bureau: https://culture.tainan.gov.tw/

※The Tainan City Government Cultural Affairs Bureau reserves the right to amend the content of the guidelines and the final interpretation.※