As a world-renowned "ultimate" sports car brand, Porsche not only brings the art of mobility to China but also inspires young Chinese artists with its philanthropic commitment to supporting education in the country.

Under the long-standing collaboration between Porsche China and the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute (SFAI), the Porsche "Empowering the Future" Art Contest concluded its third annual session last month. The competition is a way of cultivating Chinese talent in arts and drawing attention to issues of education in rural areas.

Submissions this year totaled 389, including paintings, photographs and sculptures that call for more educational opportunities for disadvantaged children.

Luo Zhongli, head of the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, said the school is proud of the record number of participants who are discovering their creative potential and becoming more socially conscious as artists.

The first-prize winner was "Study of the Children Left Behind," an installation of texts, sketches, photographs and other media by Long Xuemei and Tang Ruijingya. The work explores the lives of "left behind" children in isolated villages after their migrant worker parents have left to find work in distant cities. It vividly captures the children's situation and their emotions.

The runner-up "Made in China" was a set of 15 small, rough porcelain Porsche cars that appear beaten up. It's another realistic take on the elite vehicle.

Third prize went to the oil painting "Drawing the Dreams" by Yue Jundong, which features a little girl, with her somber village in the background and bright images of her wishes in the sky. The painting conveys the message that disadvantaged young people are resilient, spirited and hopeful.

Prizes also were awarded to the 4th to 10th place winners.

The top three winners will visit prestigious art institutions in Germany as well as the Stuttgart-based Porsche museum. All the 10 prize-winning art pieces will be exhibited in Porsche centers in China after the show in the country's southwestern Chongqing Art Museum.

"Judging by the caliber of work on display, the contest has certainly inspired exceptional creativity and helped raise awareness of the Porsche Mobile Educational Training and Resource Unit program (METRU), which is an integral part of our 'Empowering the Future' initiative to give young people equal learning opportunities in life, no matter where they are and what their situation is," said Helmut Broeker, chief executive officer of Porsche China.

Standing alongside the competition exhibits at the museum is one of the six Porsche Cayenne Mobile Educational Training and Resource Units. These sport-utility vehicles have been modified to deliver training and teaching resources to remote areas in Sichuan, Gansu, and Yunnan provinces in a joint initiative with the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

With an investment of more than 15 million yuan (US$2.4 million) since 2009, the METRU project had benefited 131,804 students and 8,189 teachers in 441 schools in Sichuan and Gansu provinces. The project also plans to reach out 40,000 students and 2,000 teachers in 86 schools in Yunnan Province.

To reinforce its commitment to improving child welfare, Porsche has started a new corporate social responsibility project with UNICEF to facilitate integrated early childhood development in the impoverished areas of Shanxi and Guizhou provinces. The project will donate four Cayenne SUVs and contribute more than 23 million yuan in three years.

"UNICEF is working together with Porsche to develop innovative solutions to extend education to China's most vulnerable children. Our work in support of the Ministry of Education is making a big difference for them," said Tim Sutton, deputy representative of UNICEF China and a member of the judging panel of the 2012 Porsche "Empowering the Future" Art Contest.

Related

• Volkswagen to acquire 50.1% of Porsche AG
• Li Na defeats Safarova at Porsche Grand Prix
• Porsche to recall 20,826 vehicles in China
• Porsche owner's prank stirs public anger
• Porsche revved about China
• Porsche steps on the accelerator

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)