Art and Wetlands in Harmony: Exploring the Art Forest Next to the Kaohsiung Science and Technology Museum

Step into a sanctuary that blends mountains and seas, art and culture, nature and humanity—the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts (KMFA). Since its opening in 1994 on the former Neiwei Pi Wetland, it has become Taiwan's third public art museum and one of the rare art + ecological cultural parks in Asia. Today, it serves not only as an art exhibition center but also as a hub integrating sculpture, ecology, education, and community activities. 📚 History and Positioning • Background: The museum completed its first phase in 1994, becoming Taiwan's third public art museum. It was transferred to the Kaohsiung City Bureau of Cultural Affairs in 2003 and restructured as an administrative corporation in 2017, enhancing its functions and operations. • Artistic Focus: KMFA specializes in "Asian/Austronesian contemporary art," regularly hosting Austronesian Art Festivals, Indigenous Contemporary Art Exhibitions, and international exhibitions to achieve the goal of "localizing internationally and internationalizing locally." 🏛️ Architecture and Park Design • Overall Design: The main building has five above-ground floors and two underground levels, with spaces divided into exhibition halls and public service areas. Its geometric exterior connects with green spaces and a sculpture park, echoing the ecology of the Neiwei Pi Wetland. • Outdoor Spaces: Spanning approximately 41 hectares, the cultural park is a rare large-scale art-ecology venue in Taiwan, featuring lakeside trails, green parks, and a sculpture garden for walking, relaxation, and exhibitions. • Arcade Pathways: The design incorporates traditional Taiwanese arcade elements into the plaza, creating shaded pathways. Outdoor spaces include a café and bookstore, enhancing indoor-outdoor connectivity. 🎨 Exhibition and Collection Highlights • Permanent Exhibition Areas: - 1st Floor: International Special Exhibitions, Contemporary Art Exhibitions (high-ceilinged galleries) - 2nd Floor: Artist Research Exhibitions, Thematic Exhibitions - 3rd Floor: "Diverse Histories of the Global South" Collection Gallery - 4th Floor: Contemporary Experimental Art Space • Collections and Key Works: The museum houses over 4,000 works from Taiwan and the Austronesian language family, including iconic pieces like Lin Yu-shan's "Offering Horses" (a horse-themed folding screen). • Austronesian Art Project: From 2007 to 2009, the museum promoted the Austronesian Contemporary Art Project, featuring international exhibitions, artist residencies, archival research, and global exchanges. 🧩 Education and Public Interaction • Children's Art Museum: An interactive space designed for families, offering creative workshops and courses. • Lecture Hall and Classrooms: A 352-seat lecture hall and art resource classrooms in the basement support educational talks, corporate visits, and community art activities. • Outdoor Plaza and Sculpture Garden: Public art installations are regularly updated, maintaining an open dialogue with the city. • Online Resources: Offers 360° virtual tours, video channels, and an art database to extend artistic connections beyond the physical space. 📅 Exhibition Updates • Signature Events: Austronesian Art Festival, Austronesian Contemporary Art Series, Taiwan Lantern Festival Art Exhibitions, and more. • 2025 Key Projects: Includes special exhibitions like "Walker Ten Steps: Tsai Ming-liang," the international exhibition "Garden Fortress," and the Kaohsiung International Container Art Festival, along with ESG smart energy-saving and e-paper display systems. The Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts is a comprehensive space where art is the core, and ecology and community are its lifeblood. Whether you're an art enthusiast, a family with children, or a traveler who loves strolling through green spaces, you'll find a connection here.