Announcement of Executive Director Retirement and Appointment of New Executive Director

The Board of Directors of the Cloud Gate Culture and Arts Foundation announces the appointment of Kathy HONG as the new Executive Director of the Foundation succeeding YEH Wenwen who is retiring, as of December 31, 2021, after serving 31 years in the organization. HONG’s appointment will become effective from January 1, 2022.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with Cloud Gate again in these transformative times,” says HONG. “Wenwen has been a mentor in my career, and I am in awe of her for her leadership at Taiwan’s most treasured cultural organization. Cloud Gate’s dance company, theater space and foundation have convinced us that dance can transform lives and bring people together. I look forward to working with the Board, Mr. LIN, and Tsung-lung down this path, touching more generations with dance just as I have been some 20 years ago.”

Kathy HONG is a seasoned producer and arts professional for more than 20 years. She joined Cloud Gate at various stages during 1998-2007 with diverse roles. Her career in the performing arts saw her in challenging roles as Executive Director at the international organization OISTAT and Marketing Director charging the opening of National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts-Weiwuying, among others. Actively engaged in nurturing young arts managers, HONG established Performing Arts Network Development Association since 2012. She is also a core founding member of Asia Network for Dance since 2018 with colleagues from Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, China, Korea, Malaysia, and Australia. 

“The Board is grateful for Wenwen’s dedication and achievements in the past decades. Cloud Gate is a leading cultural icon in Taiwan’s society. In these uncertain times when change has been the only constant factor, the Foundation is adamantly certain and optimistic of a new future with a generation shift in leadership.” said Stan SHIH, Chairman of the Board. 

Having joined the Cloud Gate since 1991, YEH has led and solidified Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan’s stature in the dance world alongside its Founder and acclaimed choreographer LIN Hwai-min. She has also championed new talents and enabled Cloud Gate 2 young choreographers in showing their works on the international stage. In 2008, Cloud Gate studio in Taipei was devastated by a blaze; YEH spearheaded the building of Cloud Gate’s new home and Theater, which opened in 2015. Since 2020, she has facilitated a smooth transition of the Company’s artistic directorship from LIN Hwai-min to CHENG Tsung-lung.

“It has been a true blessing and honor to have grown with Cloud Gate and the team. A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who has ever been supportive of myself and Cloud Gate, we would have not gotten where we are today without you,” said YEH Wenwen. “Kathy is a courageous initiator and I look forward to seeing the new era led by her and Tsung-lung working seamlessly with the team.” 

Artistic Director CHENG Tsung-lung says, “On my journey as a dancer and a choreographer, Wenwen has demonstrated how a company can flourish with faith and meticulous attention to details. I am honored to have her at my side through countless performances. I am convinced that Kathy, myself and the Cloud Gate team is enroute to an adventurous next stage with strong support and foundation.”