Taiwan’s Cultural Diplomacy and Cultural Relations

Asia Dialogue
Date: August 26, 2019
By: Chun-Ying Wei.

The definition of ‘cultural intermediaries’ can be confusing and vague. The concept was first described by Bourdieu to refer to occupations and workers involved in the production and circulation of symbolic goods and services in an expanding cultural economy. Although Bourdieu referred to cultural intermediaries in the context of postwar Western societies, the term has evolved in different countries’ contexts. Jennifer Smith Maguire and Julian Matthews suggested the term has been used as a descriptive catch-all phrase for any creative or cultural occupation or institution. Such a vague and contested subject of discussion requires clarification.

From the perspective of cultural policy studies, arts councils can be considered as a type of cultural intermediary. In the UK, Arts Council England is an executive non-departmental public body (NDPB) sponsored by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and operates by the arm’s-length principle. As per the quango debate of 2005, the Council controls its internal employment decisions and grants to arts and cultural organisations.

Taiwan’s  semi-official international relations status allows cultural intermediaries to sign Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) or establish partnerships with similar organisations in lieu of signing state-to-state agreements    [FULL  STORY]