Cultural Appreciation: How Nanjing is integrating aesthetic education into urban life
Project: Enhancing citizens’ capacity to appreciate and participate in culture through diverse arts programming
In 2024, Nanjing launched a cultural strategy focused on three areas: revitalising public spaces, nurturing humanistic aesthetic values, and promoting city-wide aesthetic awareness. 53 projects were piloted to engage citizens with art and beauty through public space revitalization, evening classes, and cultural programming. Supported by digital campaigns and volunteer networks, the initiative enhances cultural wellbeing and offers a replicable model for embedding aesthetic education into urban policy and city planning.
Encouraging citizen “learning art after work”
Citizens were encouraged to develop an appreciation of aesthetics and participate in the arts through a rich and diverse cultural programme, including Nanjing Creative Design Week, Nanjing Literature Festival, interactive museum exhibitions, art workshops for young people and evening classes – which covered subjects such as dance, tie-dye, woodblock printing, and calligraphy, making artistic engagement a natural part of everyday life. These emphasized accessibility and enjoyment, making “learning art after work” a new lifestyle for over 2,000 participating residents in the first year.
To embed aesthetics at the community level, the city formed volunteer groups like the “Dandelion Aesthetic Ambassadors.” These teams delivered cultural programming directly into residential neighbourhoods, ensuring grassroots access to artistic experiences.
Revitalising public spaces into new cultural landmarks
In terms of urban design, public spaces were reimagined through an artistic lens. Projects like the “Xiangtang (Resounding Hall) Project” and the “Jinling Style Romantic Center” turned previously underutilized city blocks into vibrant cultural destinations. Designers were encouraged to integrate aesthetic features into infrastructure, enhancing the overall visual identity of the city.
Promoting city-wide aesthetic awareness
Digital platforms played a central role in expanding the initiative’s visibility. Campaigns such as #DiscoverBeautifulNanjing and #WalkThroughNanjing encouraged citizens to engage with their surroundings in new ways. Online activities like the “Love Letters to Nanjing” poetry call connected Nanjing’s rich literary tradition with contemporary voices, creating a bridge between past and present through digital expression.
The initiative’s collaborative framework—linking government, academia, artists, and communities—has created a scalable model for integrating aesthetic values into city life. This approach not only strengthens Nanjing’s cultural identity but also enhances its appeal as a cultural tourism destination and model for urban innovation.
