Shenzhen has comprehensive public cultural facilities, providing splendid examples of art. Elite arts and popular culture make Shenzhen something of a cultural oasis. 

Cultural and Art Industries

Shenzhen features a unique special economic zone culture. With a perfect public cultural service network and developed cultural facilities, there are 25 museums and memorial halls. All people in the city can receive radio and TV transmissions. All municipal public cultural venues are open to the public free of charge. Locals can also appreciate concerts performed by national and international orchestras at the first-class Shenzhen Concert Hall.

 

City of Libraries

There are 617 public libraries throughout the city, 20 built in 2009. Public libraries house 14.9536 million books, an increase of 7.2 percent over the previous year, and attracted 15.2318 million readers in 2009. Forty 24-hour self-service libraries were established last year, serving more than 500,000 people.

 

City of Pianos

With the support of Shenzhen Art School, Shenzhen's piano education level tops the nation. A string of talented pianists, including Li Yundi, Chen Sa, Zhang Haochen, Gu Jingdan and Pan Linzi, instructed by Professor Dan Zhaoyi, have garnered awards in prestigious international contests. Piano education is growing more popular among Shenzhen primary and middle school students. There are 8.2 pianos for every 100 Shenzhen families. Many piano masters have made Shenzhen their base for career development. 

Cultural and Art Facilities

 

Museums

There are 25 museums (including memorial halls) around the city, housing over 40,000 cultural relics. Built in February 1984, the Shenzhen Museum opened in November 1988, housing more than 20,000 pieces. The New Shenzhen Museum, the country's first museum featuring the history of reform and opening up, opened on Dec. 25, 2008 in the east wing of the Citizens' Center. With floor space of more than 30,000 square meters, the new museum also exhibits examples of ancient relics and folk customs.

 

Art Galleries

There are nine art venues, including Guan Shanyue Art Museum, Shenzhen Art Museum, Shenzhen Fine Art Institute and He Xiangning Art Museum.

 

Entertainment Venues

There are 24 entertainment venues. Built in 1984, the Shenzhen Grand Theater is an important venue for orchestral performances and big events. Occupying 43,577 square meters, the theater has seating for 1,199 people. Opening in October 2007, the Shenzhen Concert Hall has 1,680 seats and floor space of 47,000 square meters.

 

Cultural Halls

There are 62 cultural halls throughout the city, occupying floor space of more than 250,000 square meters.

 

Cultural Squares

There are 381 cultural squares around the city, including 244 each with floor space of more than 1,000 square meters. The squares serve as important venues for people to participate in cultural activities.

 

Cultural Activities

 

Reading Month

The Shenzhen Municipal Government has designated every November as Reading Month, a cultural extravaganza. With the longest duration of a cultural activity in the world, Reading Month features "I'm reading and I'm happy" as its theme. In 2009, there were 372 activities conducted during the 10th Reading Month, attracting 9 million residents.

 

Shenzhen Migrant Workers' Cultural Festival

To satisfy the cultural demand of migrant workers, the annual monthlong festival was launched in May 2005, featuring shows, movies, lectures and exhibitions all around the city, attracting about 2 million people.

 

ICIF Art Festival

During the annual China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF), the ICIF Art Festival displays national entertainment shows.