Centers boost Pudong's cultural scene

The opening of two centers for approving cultural events is likely to give Pudong a boost in staging performances and exhibitions.

Authorities yesterday unveiled its first district-level center at 2 Hehuan Road in the Pudong New Area. It will accept applications on cultural events, exhibitions and trade in artworks with a new streamlined evaluation process.

The number of days for verification will be cut from 45 days to 25 at most, according to Yin Ying, an official with the Shanghai Administration of Culture, Radio, Film & TV.

The administration said it receives around 3,000 applications for cultural activities in Pudong annually, which accounts for 30 percent of the city’s total.

Another center was opened at the Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone to verify the entry and exit of cultural relics for auction or exhibition.

“With the simplified and faster approval process, an increasing number of art exhibitions and artworks will be brought to Shanghai this year and in 2019,” said Charlotte Liu, the managing director of China at Christie’s.