Taiwan has revoked the National Award for Arts from Indigenous artist Sakuliu Pavavaljung after his sexual assault conviction was upheld by the Supreme Court. The Ministry of Culture and the National Culture and Arts Foundation announced the withdrawal on 17 April 2025, and Pavavaljung must return the NT$1 million prize. The conviction stems from a February 2021 incident involving a woman under his artistic mentorship; he was sentenced to four years and six months in prison. Allegations first surfaced in December 2021 via social media, prompting further accusations. Pavavaljung had previously been dropped from representing Taiwan at the Venice Biennale and suspended from Documenta 15.
This revocation is the first time a national arts honor has been withdrawn under disqualification provisions introduced in 2023 in response to the Me Too movement. It signals a significant shift in Taiwan's cultural policy, holding prestigious award recipients accountable for criminal conduct and reinforcing institutional standards around ethical behavior. The case also highlights ongoing tensions between artistic legacy and personal accountability, particularly for Indigenous artists whose work is deeply tied to cultural heritage and community representation.