The C.F. Koo Foundation for Culture and Education was established in 1988 by Mr. Koo Chen-fu (Koo Kung-liang), former Chairman of the Ho-Hsin Enterprise Group. The foundation's purpose is to promote (1) support for outstanding domestic scholars to study abroad, and for outstanding foreign scholars to conduct research in China; (2) to organize visits between domestic and foreign academic institutions and private enterprise groups, to strengthen connections with foreign related institutions; (3) to hold or assist related institutions in organizing various cultural and artistic activities; and (4) to cultivate performing arts talents and conduct other related educational and cultural activities. The current chairman is Mr. Tseng Chi-lang, and the executive director is Ms. Ku Huai-chun.
In 1991, the foundation established a Peking Opera group, and under the initiative of the executive director, Ms. Ku Huai-chun, invited renowned Peking Opera performers such as Li Baochun and outstanding talents from both sides of the Taiwan Strait to regularly present exquisite classic plays, and to tour to various countries in Europe, America, and Japan, promoting traditional Chinese culture internationally. The group has repeatedly visited remote schools across the country, cultivating theatre audiences and carrying out grassroots work. The foundation has also frequently accepted commissions from relevant agencies to organize various comprehensive large-scale performing arts events.
In 1997, the foundation supported the establishment of the Taipei New Opera Troupe, gathering professional young enthusiasts at home and abroad to regularly perform "New and Old Operas" and tour the mainland, using opera as a means to connect with friends. The troupe has participated in many important performing arts festivals on the mainland, such as the Shanghai International Arts Festival, the China Peking Opera Festival, and the Beijing Music Festival, and has been praised for practicing cross-strait cultural exchanges through practical actions. Since 1999, the foundation has been operating the "Taipei Opera Pavilion", promoting cultural tourism for the tourist group. Each year, nearly 200 "fixed performances" are held at the Shemin Hall, Taimei Building, Taipei City, integrating various forms of national art, such as traditional Chinese acrobatics (Han-Tang Hundred Performances), shadow puppetry, puppetry, lion dances, indigenous songs and dances, and Peking Opera, which have been repeatedly recommended and praised by the Tourism Bureau and the tourism industry. In 2014, the foundation incorporated the original "New Stage" team, which has had 17 years of experience in performance art content production and venue management, and is engaged in the production, management, and consultation of performing arts and events, devoted to the training of theater talents and the sharing of theater management experience.
C.F. Koo Foundation, Taiwan, was founded in 1987 by C. F. Koo, Honorary Chairman of Ho-hsin Group, one of the core business clusters in Taiwan. Today, C. F. Koo Foundation, Taiwan, has grown into an NGO of three main business domains: Production, Theater Management, and Theater Consulting. It is the most active NGO in Taiwan's Cultural Scenery, conducting productions and touring of Peking Opera as well as performances of all other forms, house-managing two public venues in Taipei, and giving consultation to nearly all venues in Taiwan, old and new. The Board of C. F. Koo Foundation is currently chaired by Dr. Ovid Tzeng, celebrated scholar, ex-Minister of Council for Cultural Affairs and ex-Minister of Education in Taiwan. C.F. Koo Foundation, Taiwan, under the leadership of Vivien Ku, CEO, looks forward to playing a key role in international cultural scenery by providing programs as well as expertise in art management and venue constructions as emblems of friendship and cultural excellence from Taiwan, which are the results of a 20-year persistent endeavor in performing arts and the sole goal for all who work untiringly in this NGO organization.