Call for Applications for the “Art Space” community-focused art events of the 25th China Shanghai International Arts Festival

All applicant organizations,

Hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China and organized by the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, the 25th China Shanghai International Arts Festival is scheduled to be held from October to November 2026.

As an important component of the Festival, the “Art Space” community-focused art events is guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era and adheres to a people-centered approach. Upholding the public cultural service concept of “culture benefiting the people,” the program is committed to building a “theatre without walls,” further expanding the spillover effect of the Festival’s high-quality performing arts resources, highlighting its international, innovative, and people-oriented character, continuously meeting the diverse spiritual and cultural needs of the public and their new expectations for a better life, and effectively contributing to the development of a “People’s City.”

To ensure the smooth implementation of the application process for the “Art Space” community-focused art events of the 25th China Shanghai International Arts Festival, the relevant matters are hereby announced as follows:

I. Application Period

From now until 31 March 2026

II. Eligible Applicants

Performing arts troupes, performance institutions, and performance venues

III. Project Application Requirements

The proposed production should have a running time of no more than 60 minutes. Its form and content should be suitable for the “Art Space” outdoor stage or indoor venues in various districts, and it should be able to provide a 5 to 10-minute-long interpretation or guided viewing session for the performance.

Projects from foreign countries, as well as those from Hong Kong, China；Macau, China; and Taiwan, China, and international collaborations should demonstrate an international standard, reflect the integration of tradition and innovation, demonstrate distinctive regional characteristics, and align with contemporary aesthetic values.

Domestic projects should demonstrate professional or relatively high artistic standards, highlight national cultural characteristics or outstanding original content, and are encouraged to focus on themes of the times and works popular with the general public.

IV. Application Materials

Promotional materials (in both Chinese and English), including written brief introductions to the performing group, production, main creative team, principal performers, and awards received;

High-resolution (colour) production stills and performance videos;

The number of performers and the composition of the performing team;

Technical and stage design requirements and other relevant details.

V. Application Guidelines

Performance must be scheduled within the period of October to November 2026, when the 25th China Shanghai International Arts Festival is held.

The application form must specify the name of the performing group and the presenting organization, details of the production, time length of the performance, proposed performance date(s) (time slots), and preferred venue(s).

Performance venues during the Festival will be uniformly coordinated and arranged by the Office of the Organizing Committee of the China Shanghai International Arts Festival. Applicant organizations are requested not to sign venue rental agreements with proposed venues in advance.

Applications must be submitted using the Application Form for the “Art Space” community-focused art events of the 25th China Shanghai International Arts Festival and stamped with the official seal of the applicant organization.

VI. Submission Address

Department of Arts Education, Center for China Shanghai International Arts Festival

Address: No. 101 Chengdu Road (South), Huangpu District, Shanghai

Postcode: 200020

Contacts: Wang Runhui, Zhou Yuan, Zheng Lijun

Tel: +86 21 5265 4023, +86 21 5265 4012

Fax: +86 21 5265 4026

Email: artsplus@artsbird.com

This notice is hereby issued.