2023 Asia Street Art Forum - Huashan 1914 Creative Park – A Private-Sector Manager Balancing Multiple Stakeholders

“ What is the Best Street Performer Management System? ”

In 2021, various cities across Taiwan transitioned their street performer management system to a registration-based system, eliminating the previous examination and review process, ushering in an era where anyone could become a street performer.

The intention behind this change was to grant all citizens the opportunity to showcase their talents in public spaces, receive applause, and earn tips. However, some individuals exploited loopholes within the system, leading to unfair practices such as family members drawing lots on behalf of performers, fans occupying performance spots, and malicious complaints against other artists.

The best management system remains a shared question among street performers.

To address this, the Taiwan Street Arts and Culture Development Association has invited street performers and street arts association leaders from Hong Kong and Singapore to Taipei Huashan for an in-depth discussion. They will share insights on their cities’ street performance regulations and cultural practices, while engaging in a direct dialogue with the Taipei City Department of Cultural Affairs and Huashan street performance management team.

The goal is to collaboratively explore and develop a fair and effective street performance management system tailored for the Chinese-speaking community.

Chen Tzu-Chun

the street performer manager at Huashan, shared insights on the development of street performance spaces within Huashan 1914 Creative Park.

The History of Street Performance Spaces at Huashan 1914 Creative Park

Located in the heart of Taipei, Huashan 1914 Creative Park is one of Taiwan’s most important cultural and creative hubs. With its frequent exhibitions, live performances, and vast green spaces, the park attracts visitors of all ages, both local and international, who often spend extended periods exploring its vibrant environment.

Currently, the park offers four designated outdoor street performance spots, where venue staff conduct regular patrols to maintain a balance between businesses, visitors, and performers. The well-managed atmosphere and comfortable viewing spaces have made Huashan one of the most favored performance venues for street artists in Taiwan.

From No Street Performances to a Thriving Cultural Space

In the early years, Huashan had fewer visitors and did not allow street performances. The park relied on various cultural events to attract the public.

Two key events helped pave the way for street performances at Huashan:

1.The Huashan Acrobatics Festival (2011) – Organized by Huang Ming-Cheng（黃明正）, this festival featured outdoor circus performances (see the photo below) that successfully brought in crowds.

2. The HEADSPRING Festival (2012) – Curated by Chang Wang (張忘), this event included outdoor performances and circus workshops, further boosting public engagement.

These successful events demonstrated the potential of outdoor performances in drawing audiences. As a result, the venue management recognized the value of providing dedicated performance spaces for street artists, ultimately shaping Huashan into a premier performance destination.

Expanding Street Performance Opportunities at Huashan

Starting in 2012, On.P.Young Circus was invited to experiment with outdoor street performances at Huashan 1914 Creative Park. This marked the park’s first steps toward integrating street arts into its cultural landscape.

By 2017, Huashan began officially scheduling six groups of street performers for regular performances at the venue (as seen in the photos below).

In March 2018, Huashan finalized its official management regulations, allowing all performers to apply for performance slots without requiring exams or licenses. Instead of a certification system, the evaluation process was left to the audience, making Huashan one of the most open and inclusive street performance venues in Taiwan.

Today, talented and promising artists continue to apply for performance opportunities at Huashan, using the space to establish their stage presence, refine their craft, and build their reputation.