Changsha to launch cross-Strait Chinese character art exchange program

An art and cultural exchange program centered on Chinese characters will open on Sunday. The program invites participants from both sides of the Taiwan Strait to explore shared cultural roots through contemporary creative expression.

Launched by the Hunan Songdan Chinese Character Art Museum, the 2026 Changsha-Taiwan Chinese Character Art and Cultural Exchange Program carries the theme "Chinese Characters Across the Strait: Painting a Shared Heart." The event will run from Feb. 15 through May 1.

Organizers said the program is open to anyone with an interest in Chinese character culture and traditional Chinese heritage, regardless of age, profession, or background. Individuals as well as family teams, teacher-student groups, and community organizations are encouraged to take part.

Participants are invited to produce works using a wide range of artistic forms, including seal carving, calligraphy, poster design, installation art, digital imaging, digital art, and painting. Submissions should demonstrate creativity, artistic quality, and cultural depths, highlighting both the enduring richness and contemporary vitality of Chinese character culture.

To participate, applicants can register through the official "I Changsha" website in both Chinese (https://www.i-changsha.cn) and English (https://www.i-changsha.net). The application portal can be accessed via the featured column "Chinese Characters Across the Strait: Painting a Shared Heart" on the homepage. Participants are required to submit a short video and images documenting their creative process, accompanied by an interpretation examining the cultural roots of the characters, their underlying values and modern-day meaning, while conveying an appreciation for traditional Chinese culture.

The organizing committee has established multiple award categories to recognize outstanding creations and active participation. Winners will receive provincial-level certification issued by the Hunan Songdan Chinese Character Art Museum. Selected works will be given priority for online and offline exhibitions, and some creators may be invited to Changsha to attend study programs, with subsidies provided. Outstanding cultural and creative design works may be included in the "Cross-Strait Cultural and Creative Co-development Plan," allowing creators to participate in future revenue sharing. All selected works will be compiled into an official collection and promoted through major domestic and international media outlets and social media platforms, raising the profile of the works and their creators.

In addition, award recipients will be given priority access to museum-supported opportunities, including cultural and creative cooperation projects, exhibition platforms, and resource matchmaking. Outstanding digital works may be featured for long-term display on museum-affiliated platforms. Instructors, including teachers, professionals, and creators, who provide guidance to award-winning individuals or team works, will receive the Outstanding Instructor Award. They will be recommended for participation in official cross-Strait cultural exchange programs and the museum's key annual cooperation projects. Their contributions will be archived as exemplary cases in the museum's cross-cultural communication database.

"How to bring Chinese character culture more effectively into everyday life and build a bridge of understanding between people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait is a key issue in preserving and promoting the art of Chinese characters," said Song Zehua, director of the Hunan Songdan Chinese Character Art Museum. He said that the program aims to integrate distinctive elements from both sides of the Taiwan Strait while enhancing public engagement and appeal, allowing Chinese character culture to resonate more deeply with contemporary audiences.