The Community Cultural Activity Center in Anting Town has adopted a new way of holding public cultural activities by inviting organizations to hold activities for charity.

So far 64 societies and organizations have made reservations for over 500 activities at the center, covering everything from bodybuilding to stage performances and social events.

“We watched the sunrise, danced, rode bicycle and had barbecue on Shengsi Island last year,” Sun Mei, a nurse from EHBH hospital said.

She joined a youth club to visit Shengsi Island and Anhui-Hangzhou Ancient Road to get to know people from high-end manufacturing and IT industries. More than 700 nurses from the hospital joined the activities.

The activity center promoted socializing activities and a street basketball contest this year, and immediately found sponsors for the projects.

In the past, Anting only held long-distance running on New Year’s Day and performances at the Double Ninth Festival for older people. “Our challenge is to develop new activities with strong human interest,” said Li Haiying, the activity center’s director.

Promising concerts

Shanghai Percussion Music Association held a concert for promising young musicians at the center’s theater with all seats fully booked. The association has promised to hold at least three such concerts for Anting residents this year.

“The cooperation provides new performances and training opportunities for us while the association expands their brand influence,” Li said.

The center doesn’t have to spend hundreds of thousand yuan on buying the expensive percussion instruments as well.

Mutual benefit is the key point for Anting to turn from activity organizer to platform service provider.

Shanghai Volkswagen’s Zhongyue Book Club was only for employees until the center provided its auditorium and activity room for the club. It’s now open to all.

“The practice allows the cultural department to develop new projects, and we focus more on supervision, team building and improving project quality,” Li said.