The Taiwan Creative Craft Design Contest: Dream of Craft organized by the Hsinchu County Cultural Foundation was an entrant in the 2025 French Design Awards Season 2. The Taiwan Creative Craft Design Contest contended with more than 3000 entries from 38 countries to rise above them all, becoming the only global winner of a Gold award in the Creative Competitions and Cultural Promotion category. Hsinchu County Cultural Foundation Director and Hsinchu County Magistrate Yang Wen-ke was delighted that, in the three years since the Foundation was restarted, it has already delivered such sparkling results. This has propelled Hsinchu County’s energy for bringing together traditional craft arts and innovative design onto the global stage; and it symbolizes how Hsinchu County’s cultural governance strategy and real-world results are winning worldwide affirmation.
2025 French Design Awards Spokesperson Thomas Brandt stated that the Dream of Craft contest from the Hsinchu County Cultural Foundation brings forward clear-minded concepts and innovative thinking; it responds modern cultural and design development demand, while using rigorous implementation to expand and transform culture into impactful design actions. This edition of the French Design Awards includes top creations from the US, Japan, the UK, France, Australia, Germany, China, South Korea, and more lands. The jury, composed of international design experts, used a blind review mechanism to assess entries in terms of creativity, design quality, strategic implementation, and industry influence, to make sure that every honor is won through true strength. https://frenchdesignawards.com/winner-info.php?id=3454
Magistrate Yang stated that, for the Dream of Craft contest, categories include wooden sculpture, bamboo weaving, glass, lacquerware, neon, mother-of-pearl inlay, and more. The contest’s ongoing nature and systematic mechanisms help master crafters and up-and-coming designers spark creativity off each other through generational exchange. Culture is something that cannot just be preserved; it must be applied and carried forward. The Cultural Foundation helps bring together modern aesthetics and daily practicality, forming the works that win the Dream of Craft contest into cultural-creative products imbued with both market potential and cultural warmth. Sales at Hsinchu County bookstores, exhibitions, and convenience stores then create a circular industrial chain, making cultural assets into a major source of momentum for innovative brilliance.
Cultural Foundation Associate Director Lucy Tien stated that the value of the Dream of Craft contest lies in laying a complete path for creators, from their initial inspiration by Hsinchu County culture to finally selling products on the market. The contest consists of four major stages: Submission; judging; exhibition; and production. The number of submissions this year again marked a record high. The expert jury assessed submissions in terms of their cultural elements, aesthetic skill, and innovative potential. The contest encourages creators to draw inspiration from the local context, then blend local media and traditional crafts to create works that embody cultural depth. The results of this third contest will be on display at the Hsinchu County Government’s Cultural Affairs Bureau Art Gallery from October 22 to November 9. All members of the public are welcome to come enjoy the displays, and experience the energy of cultural innovation on display.
Cultural Affairs Bureau Director General Chu Shu-Min added that, under the guidance of the County Government, the Cultural Foundation restarted operations in 2019 and underwent a thoroughgoing reformation. Since 2022, the Foundation has been allocated NT$10 million per year, or only 1.7% of the entire County’s cultural budget, yet has successfully implemented four major projects: The Taiwan Creative Craft Design Contest: Dream of Craft; the National Calligraphy Contest; the Hsinchu Culture, County Arts: Cultural Equality performances; and the Every Day a Good Day brand promotion. The results of these efforts have won support in the form of public donations, which are in turn used to supplement Hakka cultural efforts, cultural education events, grants for County artists, and more. Director General Chu stated that she hopes such injections of energy will help the County’s arts and cultural development to reach new heights.