2025 International Young Artist Residency Showcase: Department for Youth Partners with Global Artists to Highlight the City’s Creative Energy!
The Department for Youth of Taipei City Government hosted the 2025 International Young Artist Residency Showcase on November 28 at the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park. This year’s program selected eight outstanding young artists from a pool of 76 applicants representing 27 countries. The selected artists come from Japan, Canada, Lithuania, Croatia, Israel, the Philippines, and Belgium, and are creating new works on-site at Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, Neihu District Office, and Dadaocheng. They gathered with local creators, community members, and cultural representatives to share their artistic journeys, creative outcomes, and experiences in Taipei. The Department noted that the residency program centers on “international exchange” and “local cultural engagement,” encouraging artists to draw inspiration from Taipei’s history, neighborhoods, and communities. During the showcase, they shared how they discovered new visual languages within the city’s textures and translated their impressions of Taipei into murals, graffiti, and other creative forms. Many expressed that Taipei’s multicultural atmosphere, human warmth, and vibrant streets helped them “discover the stories woven into the city and draw creative inspiration from them.” Honored guests attending the event included City Councilors Ho Meng-Hua (何孟樺) and Yen Jo-Fang (顏若芳), Commissioner of the Department of Information Technology, Chao Shih-Lung (趙式隆), Commissioner of the Department of Sports, Yu Zhu-Ping (游竹萍), and Director of Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, Chao Chuan-Ling (趙釧玲). Councilor Ho remarked that seeing Taipei through the eyes of international artists allows the city to be understood anew and highlights its layered cultural charm. She expressed hope that Taipei’s commitment to urban aesthetics will continue to expand across more districts. Councilor Yen noted that street art is often misunderstood, but the artists’ work vividly presents Taipei as seen by international visitors, revealing a rich and diverse urban image. She looks forward to seeing these creative expressions appear in more cities and spaces in the future. The Commissioner of the Department for Youth, Chou Yi-Hsi (周羿希), emphasized that the program not only introduces young artists and fresh creative energy into Taipei but also carries Taipei’s stories onto an international stage. She noted that the artists’ works allow residents of all ages to experience the vitality and creativity of the city. Commissioner Chou also expressed appreciation for the support from Songshan Cultural and Creative Park and shared plans to expand the residency to additional neighborhoods, making street art a more accessible part of everyday life. Director Chao expressed gratitude for the collaboration, noting that the diverse perspectives brought by both local and international artists helped her rediscover the uniqueness of Taipei and Taiwan. Held in parallel with this year’s Songyanland Festival, the residency allowed many visitors to interact with the artists, creating opportunities for cultural exchange and deepening public understanding of the park’s cultural role. The showcase also featured two hands-on workshops led by participating artists: Ernest Zacharevic (Lithuania), Gome Alon (Israel), Psoman (Belgium), and Tea Kvar (Croatia). Open to the public, the sessions invited participants to explore street art, creative techniques, and artistic thinking from different cultural perspectives. The Department for Youth will continue fostering international artistic exchange and building an open, inclusive environment where young artists from around the world feel welcome—and eager to return. This year’s showcase marks a meaningful conclusion to the residency program while opening new pathways for connecting Taipei with the global art community. For further information, please contact:
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