Heroes of Philanthropy: Shi Wen-Long Breaks Out the Violins - Forbes

Heroes of Philanthropy: Shi Wen-Long Breaks Out the Violins - Forbes: But Shi has never been merely the acquisitive tycoon, his collection tucked away on an estate for only friends, family and dinner party guests to see. The violins and the other items he’s amassed—Western paintings and sculpture, arms and armor—all belong to the nonprofit Chi Mei Culture Foundation he started back in 1977. The collections are on display in the Chi Mei Museum in Tainan, which boasts the country’s largest privately owned treasure trove and is free to the public. The foundation also lends the violins free of charge (except for an insurance charge) to students and visiting musicians. China-born Huang Bin, the first Asian female to win the Paganini International Violin Competition, held in Italy, and American cellist Yo-Yo Ma have �borrowed instruments for concerts in �Taiwan. Taiwanese students may apply for one-year loans, a tradition borrowed from the Royal Academy.