Taiwan’s ‘Culture Points’ Program to Include Younger Teens in 2025
Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture (MOC) announced on Tuesday that the “Culture Points” program will be expanded in 2025, making it available to children as young as 13. The program, which was originally designed to support cultural participation among young adults, will now cover a broader age range, aiming to foster cultural engagement from an early age.
Expansion of Eligibility to Younger Age Groups
Starting January 1, 2025, residents of Taiwan aged 16-22 will continue to be eligible for NT$1,200 (US$36.92) in Culture Points, which can be used for various cultural activities. However, for the first time, children aged 13-15 will also be eligible to receive NT$600 in Culture Points.
The initiative, launched in 2023, initially aimed to encourage young adults to engage more with Taiwan’s vibrant cultural scene, which includes art exhibitions, music performances, and other cultural events. In response to the success of the program, the MOC has decided to lower the age threshold to further increase cultural participation and support Taiwan’s creative industries.
Minister Li Yuan’s Vision for the Future of Culture Points
Culture Minister Li Yuan (李遠) emphasized that one of his top priorities since taking office has been expanding the Culture Points program. Reflecting on his own experience raising children and observing the growing trend of digital consumption, Minister Li explained, “By providing children as young as 13 with Culture Points, we hope to cultivate an appreciation for culture early on, making them more creative and culturally aware.”
Li also noted that by exposing younger generations to culture at a formative age, Taiwan can help nurture a new generation of individuals who are both culturally literate and equipped with a strong sense of self-identity.
How the Culture Points Program Works
From January 1, 2025, eligible individuals in Taiwan and foreign nationals holding Alien Resident Certificates (ARCs) who were born between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2009, will be able to claim NT$1,200 in Culture Points. Additionally, children born between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2012, will be able to claim NT$600 in Culture Points.
These points can be redeemed through a user-friendly digital platform available via an MOC app. The Culture Points are each worth NT$1 and can be used at various designated venues such as:
- Independent bookstores
- Record stores
- Live music events and venues
- Cultural parks
- Taiwanese film screenings
Participants can redeem their points via a QR code on their smartphones. For children without smartphones, the MOC has made provisions for a paper-based QR code through their customer service line.
Encouraging Claims Before Year-End
As 2024 draws to a close, the Ministry of Culture is reminding eligible young adults aged 16-22 to claim their Culture Points for the current year before the deadline. According to the MOC, approximately 248,000 individuals in this age group (16.4% of the total eligible) have yet to claim their points, and the Ministry urges them to do so before the end of the year.
Key Details of the Culture Points Expansion
| Age Group | Eligibility | Amount of Culture Points | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ages 16-22 | Residents of Taiwan and foreign nationals with ARCs born between Jan 1, 2003 and Dec 31, 2009 | NT$1,200 | Can be used in 2025 |
| Ages 13-15 (New Group) | Residents of Taiwan and foreign nationals with ARCs born between Jan 1, 2010 and Dec 31, 2012 | NT$600 | Can be used in 2025 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who is eligible for the Culture Points in 2025?
A1: Taiwan residents and foreign nationals with Alien Resident Certificates (ARCs) who are aged 13-22, born between 2003 and 2012, are eligible to claim Culture Points starting January 1, 2025.
Q2: How can I claim my Culture Points?
A2: Eligible individuals can claim their Culture Points digitally via an MOC app. Alternatively, if you don’t have a smartphone, you can request a paper-based QR code through the MOC’s customer service line.
Q3: What can I use the Culture Points for?
A3: The points can be used at designated venues like independent bookstores, record stores, cultural events, and Taiwanese film screenings. Each point is worth NT$1.
Q4: Do I need to use the Culture Points within a specific timeframe?
A4: Yes, the Culture Points must be used within the calendar year 2025.
Q5: What happens if I don’t claim my 2024 Culture Points?
A5: The Ministry of Culture advises those eligible for 2024 Culture Points to claim them before the end of the year, as approximately 248,000 eligible young adults have yet to do so.
