Shanghai Municipal Cultural Development Foundation
上海文化发展基金会 | |
| Abbreviation | SCDF |
|---|---|
| Formation | November 1986 |
| Founder | Shanghai Municipal People's Government |
| Type | non‑profit public foundation |
| Legal status | Active |
| Purpose | Supporting cultural and artistic projects in Shanghai |
| Headquarters | Shanghai, China |
| Coordinates | 31°13′49″N 121°28′25″E / 31.2304°N 121.4737°E |
Region served | Shanghai |
Chairman | Gao Yunfei |
Parent organization | Shanghai Municipal Party Committee Propaganda Department Shanghai Municipal Finance Bureau |
| Website | http://www.shcdf.org.cn |
The Shanghai Cultural Development Foundation (Chinese: 上海文化发展基金会; pinyin: Shànghǎi Wénhuà Fāzhǎn Jījīn Huì) is a non-profit organization established in November 1986 by the Shanghai Municipal People's Government. It manages public and private donations to finance cultural and artistic projects across Shanghai.[1]
History
Founding (1986–1990)
The foundation was created by the city’s Propaganda and Finance bureaus to review grant applications and distribute cultural funding.[2]
Expansion (1991–2017)
During the 1990s and 2000s SCDF broadened its grants to theatre, film, television, animation and digital media. Updated guidelines released in 2024 placed new emphasis on intangible cultural heritage and interdisciplinary projects.[3]
Changqing Cultural Fund (2018)
In 2018 the Changqing Cultural Special Fund (长青文化专项基金) was established with philanthropist Liu Bing to support traditional arts and cultural exchange. It has since sponsored more than sixty exhibitions and events.[4]
Recent developments (2018–present)
SCDF digitised its application portal, introduced thematic grant lines and, in 2025, backed the television drama A Better Life (蛮好的人生).[5]
Funding
Revenue sources include:
- Annual municipal allocations[6]
- Corporate and individual donations (tax‑deductible under Chinese charity law)
- Investment income from an endowment fund
In 2021 SCDF financed 334 projects and supported 31 international events, achieving a 93 % completion rate.[7]
Functions
SCDF:
- Awards grants in literature, theatre, film, animation, digital media and cultural heritage[3]
- Conducts multi‑stage peer review under Propaganda‑ and Finance‑bureau oversight[2]
- Runs artist training schemes and a youth scriptwriting contest[3]
- Supports culture‑and‑technology integration projects[3]
- Facilitates international exchange and festival participation[3]
Key programmes
- Art‑Creation Support – Seed money for new works in multiple disciplines[3]
- Talent Development – Workshops, scholarships and residencies
- Youth Scriptwriting Contest – Annual competition for writers under 30
- Civilisation Venues – Grants for community cultural centres and exhibitions
- Digital Culture Grants – Funding for VR/AR and online cultural media projects
Partnerships
- Shanghai Media Group – Co‑produced the documentary China’s Culture Journey.[8]
- SIFF YOUNG – Development support for emerging filmmakers.[9]
- Xuhui District – Joint theatre grants under the “演艺大世界” initiative.[10]
- Asia–Europe Foundation – Mobility funding for Shanghai artists.[11]
See also
- Culture in Shanghai
- Shanghai Municipal People's Government
- Shanghai International Film Festival
- List of non-profit organizations in China
References
- ^ "机构章程" (in Chinese). 上海文化发展基金会. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
- ^ a b "上海文化发展基金会招聘启事" (in Chinese). 澎湃新闻. 19 July 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "上海文化发展基金会二〇二四年度第一期资助项目申报指南" (in Chinese). 上海市文化和旅游局. 22 March 2024. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
- ^ "九旬华人乐当美中文化"摆渡人"" (in Chinese). 亚省新闻网. 5 December 2024. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
- ^ "首播收视率创纪录《蛮好的人生》上海特色鲜明" (in Chinese). People’s Daily Online. 21 April 2025. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
- ^ "2023年上海市本级文化事业费支出预算" (PDF) (in Chinese). 上海市财政局. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
- ^ "财政项目支出绩效自评表（2021年度）" (PDF) (in Chinese). 上海市人民政府. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
- ^ Newham, Daniel (3 March 2025). "Documentary series showcases prosperity and vitality of Chinese culture". Shine. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
- ^ "SIFF YOUNG "The Ultimate Pass"! The SIFF YOUNG 2025 Officially Launched". Shanghai International Film Festival. 7 April 2025. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
- ^ "上海文化发展基金会二〇二五年度第一期资助项目申报指南" (in Chinese). 上海市文化和旅游局. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
- ^ "Guide to China mobility funding" (PDF). Asia–Europe Foundation. Retrieved 2 May 2025.