SDG11
2026 Lixian Art Forum: Four Universities Unite to Foster Interdisciplinary Art Exchange
Co-organized with the College of Arts at Tainan University of Technology, the Department of Theatre Arts at National Sun Yat-sen University, and the Graduate Institute of Interdisciplinary Art at National Kaohsiung Normal University, the symposium united graduate students' research and creative works from all four institutions. Departing from conventional single-format academic conferences, this year's symposium centered on a core framework of "Papers, Practice, and Posters." By integrating academic paper presentations, practice-based sharing, and poster displays, the event demonstrated the spectrum of art research from theoretical discourse to creative practice, expanding the possibilities of artistic inquiry through inter-university and interdisciplinary exchange.
Founded with the core mission of fostering academic exchange among art graduate students, the "Lixian Art Forum" encourages researchers from diverse backgrounds to share their academic findings and creative experiences. Participating schools this year spanned fields including music, visual arts, performing arts, and interdisciplinary arts. Rather than restricting presentations to traditional academic papers, the program extended into creative works, performances, and visual displays. This allowed researchers to select formats best suited to the nature of their work, enabling art research to be articulated not only through text, but also experienced and perceived through sound, body, image, object, space, and other creative media.
One of the defining features of this year's event was its presentation structure juxtaposing "research" and "creation." Paper presentations delved deeply into art theory, history, culture, and contemporary issues; practice-sharing sessions illustrated how research translates into concrete creative action; and poster presentations offered an alternative visual mode of inquiry, allowing research outcomes to be translated and exchanged across different media. Running in parallel, these three formats reflect the evolving trend in contemporary art research toward dissolving the boundaries between theory and practice.
Chun-Yi Chiu, President of the NCKU Graduate Institute of Art Studies Student Association and organizer of the symposium, stated that the value of art research lies not only in proposing new academic perspectives, but also in connecting research outcomes with society, culture, and everyday life through diverse forms. Consequently, this year's "Lixian Art Forum" placed special emphasis on the parallel development of research and practice, aiming to establish a more open and inclusive platform for dialogue across artistic disciplines and to foster new research perspectives and creative possibilities through inter-university collaboration. President Chiu further noted that the three formats—"Papers, Practice, and Posters"—do not operate in isolation, but rather respond to the diversity of art research from distinct angles, empowering graduate students to choose the most appropriate mode of expression while inviting attendees to appreciate the multifaceted potential of art research through varied media and viewpoints.
Reflecting on the smooth execution of the symposium, President Chiu expressed heartfelt gratitude to all participating faculty members, institutions, and staff. He thanked the NCKU College of Liberal Arts for funding the event through the Higher Education Sprout Project, as well as the faculty and administrative staff of the NCKU Graduate Institute of Art Studies and Master Program in Drama for their guidance and support throughout the preparation process. He also extended appreciation to the professors and administrative staff of the College of Arts at Tainan University of Technology, the Department of Theatre Arts at National Sun Yat-sen University, and the Graduate Institute of Interdisciplinary Art at National Kaohsiung Normal University for their active coordination in making the four-university exchange a success, alongside Yi Sheng Xian Ming Music Studio and the entire organizing crew for their dedication to event execution.
In closing, President Chiu remarked that the symposium's success relied on the rich research contributions of every presenter, as well as the time and dedication invested by all reviewers, commentators, moderators, and attendees. By converging their research and creative energy, graduate students from the four universities inspired one another through dialogue, solidifying the "Lixian Art Forum" as a vital platform connecting research, creation, and inter-institutional exchange. He expressed hope that this momentum will continue to grow, opening up further avenues for art research and interdisciplinary collaboration when they reconvene next year.
Opening Group Photo of the Lixian Art Forum
Commentary by Professor Pei-Kuei Tsai
Paper Presentation Session at the Lixian Art Forum Symposium
Presenter Yi Chen Delivering a Paper
Commentary by Professor Yin-Hsuan Yang
