ASH Mobility Program 2026
The Mobility Program is a key pillar of the ASH Network, created to tackle the systemic lack of travel and exchange opportunities for cultural workers in the Mekong region and Taiwan especially those outside major cities. By focusing on emerging practitioners, the program seeks to expand their knowledge and networks through access to regional travel and events. Its purpose goes beyond basic support: it aims to build pathways for artists to explore new contexts, connect with peers, and develop long-term collaborations regionally. At the same time, the Mobility Program helps our network grow stronger by increasing trust and collaboration between partner organizations.
The program is based on a set of common objectives, jointly developed by the Hub Partners, and the priority is to support mobility for practitioners within Mekong and Taiwan:
- Strengthen the Network: Foster a stronger network among the different communities and hubs within the Art & Society Network Asia.
- Mutual Learning: Facilitate knowledge sharing and mutual learning opportunities for artists and cultural practitioners in the region.
- Resource Sharing: Encourage the sharing of resources among the hubs, promoting collaboration and innovation.
- Career Advancement: Support the career advancement of individuals by providing mobility opportunities for professional growth.
In 2026, the Mobility Program continues as a key project pillar for the ASH Network. It supports partners to build locally relevant mobility approaches while aligning with shared objectives across the network. In this phase, MCH continues to finance the mobility program (with additional support from Cambodian Living Arts) and emphasises co-design and shared ownership with hub partners.
The program has three main streams:
- A mobility program implemented by each partner for their local community to travel to other Mekong countries and Taiwan
- Collective mobility program implemented in collaboration by all partners, for travelling of participants including partners and grantees together to one event/festival from our focus region.
- Visiting Professionals program supporting partners in Mekong countries to invite skilled Taiwanese practitioners to travel to Mekong countries for targeted placements supporting local skills-building.
Mobility Program by Hub Partners
This allows for the movement of artists and cultural practitioners from each partner’s country to participate in art and cultural activities of communities in Mekong and Taiwan region. This support sets new opportunities for cross-cultural experiences and professional development of individuals whose practice is aligned with the values of the network. Each partner designs the program based on the needs of their community and in consultation with the other partners.
Heritage Art Space will do open call for Vietnamese artists and cultural practitioners based in Vietnam to travel and engage with peers in Taiwan and countries in the Mekong region (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand). The fund supports activities such as residencies, fieldwork, research, capacity-building training, conferences, workshops, and cultural exchange, with the goal of deepening knowledge, building networks, and enhancing practice. The open call will be launched soon.
Accton Arts Foundation will support two artists or collectives in expanding their practice by building upon their 2025 project, “Create Your Own Dance in Hsinchu”. Selected recipients will participate in a 2–4 week exchange program in an assigned Mekong country where there is an ASH Network partner. During the program, artists are expected to plan a dance exchange and conduct a creative workshop centered on observing local traditional dance practices. Upon returning to Taiwan, the artists have to organize at least one public sharing event, such as a performance or public talk, to share their residency outcomes back to local community.
The XYZ Art Center has designed their program to support two to three female Lao artists in expanding their professional networks and exploring cultural practices. The program consists of a two-phase journey: an initial phase of local travel within Laos for cultural research and artistic development, followed by regional travel to Thailand, Vietnam, or Cambodia for professional networking and exchange with international artists and organizations.
Cambodian Living Arts will support a group of performing artists to attend a festival or event in one of the hub partners’ countries. The network is currently discussing the best opportunities, and more details will be updated here soon.
Collective Mobility Program
The purpose of the Collective Mobility Program is to move forward collectively beyond one-to-one exchanges by bringing together multiple partners and artists from across the Mekong region and Taiwan. By supporting artist mobility and joint participation in a regional art or cultural event, this program fosters regional collaboration and deeper exchange among partners so that coming together naturally evolves into moving together. More information about this program will be updated soon.
Visiting Professionals from Taiwan to Mekong
Supporting partners in Mekong countries to invite experienced practitioners from Taiwan to travel on targeted placements that build local skills, this is the core of our visiting professionals program. MCH facilitates in consultation with Taiwan partner for the travel of Taiwanese experts to Mekong-region countries to share skills and knowledge, based on needs and opportunities identified by the Mekong hub partners. Details of this program will be refined in consultation with our local partners, and we will share further updates as plans are confirmed.
Partners & Supporters
This program is possible thanks to the support of organisations and individuals including:
