The Hongkou District Cultural Center officially reopened at 1412 Shuidian Road on November 30, unveiling a new space designed to maximize public cultural engagement.
With extended daily operating hours of 12 hours, from 9am to 9pm, the center caters to a diverse audience by offering programs such as evening citizen education for white-collar workers and weekend art classes for youth.
Visitors can also reserve practice rooms and music studios, ensuring accessibility for all.
The center’s reopening marks the launch of Hongkou’s Cultural Benefit Service Month, which features over 300 events across eight key categories, including art classes, intangible cultural heritage workshops, lectures, and exhibitions.
These activities embody the principle of “a center built by the people and for the people,” enhancing cultural enrichment for the community.
The inaugural exhibitions, “We” and “Amateur Artistry: Expressions of Beauty,” focus on the relationship between citizens and the cultural center, celebrating the artistic talents of amateur artists and highlighting the flourishing cultural landscape of Hongkou.
Significant upgrades to the center include the addition of a Non-Heritage Lounge, which debuted with the “Exquisite Craftsmanship on Display” exhibit.
Guided by the Shanghai Mass Art Center, Shanghai Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center, and Hongkou’s Culture and Tourism Bureau, the exhibit showcases heritage crafts such as Shanghai-style purple clay pottery, traditional incense-making, and Tieguanyin tea crafting. Through interactive experiences, the exhibit reflects the living traditions of intangible cultural heritage.
To increase public space utilization, the center has expanded its open areas from 80 percent to 92 percent. New features include a heritage lounge and a baking studio, among other multifunctional spaces, enabling broader community access.
The center also embraces digital services, offering online reservations for practice rooms and classes, as well as access to virtual learning platforms. These initiatives, combined with staggered services such as evening programs and weekend classes, aim to provide flexible cultural opportunities for citizens of all ages and interests.
The center’s innovations include a rotating director program, where long-term cultural volunteers are selected to lead activities and engage with visitors, fostering a deeper connection between the community and the center’s offerings.
Hongkou’s Cultural Benefit Service Month will continue through the end of 2024, inviting residents to experience the vibrant programming and newly upgraded facilities, reinforcing the district’s commitment to cultural inclusion and engagement. Deputy District Director Chen Xiaojie attended the reopening ceremony.