Revitalization of Caotun Performing Arts Center, County Magistrate Lin pushes for holiday cinema, February 17
Caotun Performing Arts Center, which made its mark as the “Taiwan Performing Arts Center,” has been closed for more than two years (apart from a few facility rental business) after the contracts with business operators were terminated due to the impact of the pandemic. On the 17th, County Magistrate Lin Ming-Chen, together with Legislator Hsu Shu-Hua, Mayor Chien Ching-Hsien, and Director Lin Jung-Sen of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, conducted a field survey. Lin said it was a pity that the performing arts center, which has 750 comfortable seats, has become a white elephant. Lin then promised that the Cultural Affairs Bureau will assess and assist the township office to push for a specific proposal for a holiday cinema. County Magistrate Lin also emphasized that the copyright issue of the films has been addressed, and that only projectors, curtains and other equipment were still to be acquired. “I’ll take care of the funds!”
County Magistrate Lin said that Caotun Performing Arts Center, formerly known as Caotun Youth Activity Center and Caotun Rice Straw Craft Museum, was opened in 1989. For the past three decades, it used to be the best place for the residents to have some leisure activities, do some exercises and participate in various events. Although it was renovated into a theater for performing arts, the Taiwan Performing Arts Center, which had a good reputation and was originally under contract with business operators, was unable to cope with the loss of customers and the epidemic control measures due to the pandemic. As a result, the contract with the town office was terminated, leaving such a good venue idle most of the time.
Lin also expressed his gratitude to Legislator Hsu and Mayor Chien for their suggestions. According to the preliminary assessment of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the Caotun Performing Arts Center already has a stage and seats for transforming it into a cinema, and there was no need to acquire too many additional relevant equipment other than projectors and curtains. In addition, the weekend cinema in the library of the Cultural Affairs Bureau has good films with copyright ownership already, thus as soon as projectors and curtains are acquired, the proposal can be carried out. The Cultural Affairs Bureau will submit the proposal as soon as possible to fully support Caotun Township Office in pushing for the holiday cinema plan. As for the required funds, Lin says it won’t be a problem and that he will take care of the fundraising work.