Guangzhou will establish a special fund of 30 million yuan (US$3.6 million) for art development over the next three years.

Chen Jianhua, director of the Publicity Department of the local government, made the revelation at a seminar last Friday, stating that the aim of the fund is to create a better environment and system for the development of art in the city.

The seminar was attended by a great number of local artists and officials.

"By establishing the special fund, we are going to create a better environment for local artists so they can contribute more to art development in the city," said Chen.

Local officials said it is the largest amount the city has ever dedicated to art development.

According to Chen, 10 million yuan (US$1.2 million) will be invested each year until 2007 to help local artists improve their skills.

In particular, investment will be put into key nation-level art projects, according to Chen.

For instance, the local government will invest 1 million yuan (US$120,900) every year till 2007 to broaden and enrich the development of public sculpture in the city, sources with the Guangzhou Culture Bureau said.

Chen said that most of the funds will come from donations solicited from the public and local companies, which will help strengthen local involvement in the city's art development.

Guangzhou, the capital city of South China's Guangdong Province, is widely known for its rapid economic and social development over the past two decades.

The city has also decided to set up special funds for the development of its urban sculpture, performance arts and exhibitions, and the training of artists with promising talent.

However, local artists at the seminar said that in recent years the city has been lagging behind cities like Beijing and Shanghai in its development of the arts.

"We have to put more funds into art development, especially art works of superior quality and significance, since the city should develop not only its economic and administrative sectors, but also its arts," said Pan He, a renowned sculptor.

(China Daily July 29, 2004)