Taipei’s Creative Communities: A Future Focused on Passion

By: Jon Burke

Taipei’s Creative Communities Pave The Way

What is creativity?

It’s a simple question that may immediately bring up thoughts of paintings, musical instruments and stage performances.

But can creativity be felt in the way that a community defines itself and its desires for the future?

For those at the centre of Taipei’s push to blend culture, community and technology, creativity is at the core of envisioning a new world that doesn’t replace history but redefines its place in the future.

As Taipei’s creative communities continue to establish themselves as cultural hubs, they do so without leaving behind the past. 

Building Tomorrow In Yesterday: Giving New Life To Old Buildings

One key element of the numerous hubs of creativity springing up across Taipei is the idea of transformation.

Rather than simply removing remnants of the past to make way for new buildings, each instead embraces its history.
It acts as a creative endeavor to make something new within the confines of something old.
In doing so, each place is given a depth that feels culturally authentic.

It simply isn’t just a new thing to see but a connection between a shared history and the new direction Taipei is taking.

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Huashan 1914 & Songshan Creative Parks: Creativity In Community

In no place is this more apparent than in Huashan 1914 Creative Park and Songshan Cultural and Creative Park.

Built respectively within a Japanese-era sake distillery and an early 20th century tobacco factory, both creative parks have transformed the communities that surround the old industrial buildings.

It is that transformation, in taking something that is not inherently conducive to community-building and creating an environment in which residents are encouraged to express themselves through their art, passions and leisure that both hubs become the perfect embodiment of creativity-focused community.

Now, pop-ups, art installations and community-focused activities welcome Taipei’s residents as they look to enjoy the new life taking root in the buildings of the past.

Treasure Hill Artist Village: Conservation, Creativity and Community

Moving away from the industrial buildings of the creative parks, Treasure Hill Artist Village represents the same concept of transformation, though a different medium.

What was once a military-dependent village that fell out of use and became illicit housing was given new life. Similar to Huashan 1914 & Songshan Creative Parks, the village’s history is not something that was paved over and replaced but instead acted as its canvas.

Many of the old houses, walkways and community centres still remain in place, albeit with a few refurbishments, as the new community of artists live alongside a number of the original residents.

With its new lease on life, a thriving community built on creativity has taken root as the village has become a refuge from the bustle of the neighbouring city.

Art installations decorate the winding paths and the smell of home-cooked meals fill the village as the community opens itself to visitors every day, offering everyone an opportunity to appreciate a side of Taipei not felt elsewhere.

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Taipei Creative Communities Directory

Building The Future With Passion 

Of each of the new cultural hubs, a defining element is present, reverence for the past and hope for the future.

In not simply replacing old buildings that have fallen out of use, the communities that call these areas home showcase a passion and creativity that draws residents from across the city. As they share their vision, they create space for others to come be inspired, take respite from the hustle of modern life and connect with communities built on creativity.

So to answer the original question, “What is creativity?”

For some creativity is how they define their home and community.
It’s how they choose to live.

Ready to discover more ways in which people are choosing to live their passion?
Check out our blog Capturing with Heart, Not Haste: The Resurgence of Film Photography