NCKU and Alumni Collaborate to Establish the First Weekend Art School in Rural Tainan-國立成功大學永續發展SDGs

Associate Professor Wei-Chien Ma from the Institute of Art Studies and the MA Program in Drama at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) is spearheading a cross-disciplinary teaching and research project focused on performing arts, science, technology, humanities, and sustainable development through social practice. This initiative, in collaboration with the Cheng Chen Foundation, led to the establishment of the "Weekend Art School" at Ditougang Elementary School in Tainan’s Yanshuei District. From January to June 2024, four art courses were held as part of the program, embodying the university's commitment to social responsibility. The courses included traditional Taiwanese opera (Gezi Opera), diabolo (Chinese yo-yo), and body movement, allowing students to experience the charm of traditional performance arts and the joy of teamwork during their school holidays.

Associate Professor Wei-Chien Ma emphasized that NCKU is strengthening its commitment to social responsibility in higher education by focusing on "talent cultivation" and "local engagement." This project began in January 2024, with support from the Cheng Chen Foundation, an organization founded by alumni from the Department of Chemical Engineering. The foundation has established a platform for promoting both arts and environmental education. Ditougang in Tainan’s Yanshuei District is a traditional settlement with a rich cultural heritage, including a 20-year tradition of the Song-Jiang Battle Array (Sòng-kang-tīn), a local martial arts group. This tradition not only holds significant cultural value but also enhances students’ skills in both art appreciation and creative abilities. The school has creatively incorporated the Song-Jiang Battle Array into student activities, boosting both physical fitness and academic confidence, while also fostering a sense of community among residents. With the retirement of the school's Song-Jiang Battle Array coach, Ming-Jing Xu, this collaboration seeks to sustain the region’s unique cultural legacy through the "Weekend Art School," aiming to both expand students' artistic skills and inject new energy into the local cultural scene.

Principal Xiang-Jun Guan of Ditougang Elementary School explained that the name "Ditougang" is derived from its location at the southern end of Jishui River, an area historically prone to flooding. The character "坔" (Di) represents "muddy ground," reflecting the challenges villagers faced due to the frequently shifting river paths and the difficulty of navigating the muddy terrain after rain. Despite modern conveniences, the village still lacks amenities like convenience stores, relying instead on mobile grocery trucks and simple home-based shops. Through this initiative, which combines humanitarian care with traditional arts, the school and community are working together to promote meaningful, locally valuable development. Principal Guan expressed gratitude to NCKU and the Cheng Chen Foundation for their efforts in linking the arts with local culture, paving the way for a sustainable green future in the village.

This project connected regional schools and integrated urban and rural educational resources through the USR (University Social Responsibility) program. It involved NCKU Drama MA students and Gezi Opera performer Min-Ling Chen (also known as Mi Xue), Drama MA student Cheng-Yang Yuan, who taught diabolo skills, and Yi-Ting Chen, who collaborated with local performing groups such as the New Shiehsing Opera Troupe and Hsin-Yi Zhang from the Siu-Chhin Opera Troupe (represented by). These students utilized their professional expertise to assist in the development of arts education in rural areas. The courses, which included traditional Gezi Opera, diabolo, and performance movement, were diverse and enriching, offering students the opportunity to participate in art classes during weekends, fostering creativity, strengthening local connections, and contributing to NCKU’s social responsibility. The project not only enhances the university's role in regional cultural innovation and the arts but also provides graduate students with hands-on experience in arts education, thereby driving local cultural growth and expanding the future cultural and educational landscape in the area.