Department of Finance

The Banqiao 435 Art Zone, located in Banqiao District, New Taipei City, is actually a property of the Taipei City Government （TCG）. After its original purpose was abolished, it was provided free of charge to the Culture Affairs Department（CAD）, New Taipei City, transforming into a park with the most local artistic energy in New Taipei City. On the afternoon of July 6th, Commissioner You Shih-ming of the Department of Finance （DOF）, TCG visited the Banqiao 435 Art Zone in person, inspecting the operation of various cultural facilities, studios, and the landscape within the park.

The Banqiao 435 Arts Zone is located in the northwest side of Banqiao District, New Taipei City. It is adjacent to the Dahan River, Crescent Bridge, and NanziGou. It covers an area of approximately 46,276 square meters, and all 11 land and 13 buildings within the park are owned by the TCG. Since June 2012, DOF has signed a real estate usage contract with CAD, New Taipei City, providing the land and buildings in the park for the department to regularly hold art and cultural performances and accommodate artistic teams and workers. It also facilitates cross-domain art and cultural exchanges between Taipei City and New Taipei City. CAD, New Taipei City has long focused on two main operational axes for the Banqiao 435 Zone: "Parent-Child Art Orchestra" and "Artists' Dream Base." In addition to maintaining the neoclassical-style Fanqiao Theater and retro architecture within the park, the department aims to develop the park into a base for nurturing artistic and cultural talent. In recent years, it has also become a popular recreational and picnic attraction in the Taipei Metropolitan Area.

The Commissioner of the CAD of New Taipei City Government, Zhang Jia-yu, and relevant departments presented explanations to DOF regarding the current operational status and future operational plans of the park. New Taipei City Government stated that the Banqiao 435 Art Zone is the largest long-term art residency base in northern Taiwan and is also a well-known recreational attraction for families in New Taipei City. From 2013 to May 2023, the number of visitors to the park had exceeded 5.7 million. The arrangements were made for visiting various venues within the park on that day. In addition to visiting artists' studios and enjoying art exhibitions, there was also a visit to the Taiwan Toy Museum within the park to experience vintage toys. 

Commissioner You mentioned that Mayor Chiang Wan-an of Taipei City attaches great importance to the development of the cultural industry. This project is one successful case of cross-domain cooperation between the governments of Taipei City and New Taipei City. In addition to recognizing the operational achievements of the park, there are further expectations to continue revitalizing the municipal assets within the park and maximize their value. It is hoped that the abundant creative energy nurtured by the "435 Art Village" can expand not only to Taipei City and New Taipei City but also to the areas of Keelung City and Taoyuan City, and envision the park as a "Northern Taiwan Residency Art Matching Center" with international recognition.