Shanghai is set to expand its community arts courses this spring, as three flagship programs — the Citizens' Art Night School, the Citizens' Day School, and the Weekend Aesthetic Education Classroom — launch a new season of courses.

The Citizens' Art Night School plans to offer 2,495 courses across 650 venues this spring, 13 percent of which are new locations and 33 percent newly introduced courses. New venues include innovative settings such as a hospital-based teaching site in Jing'an district, where a course on traditional Chinese medicine wellness will be introduced.

Residents can choose from a range of newly added evening courses, including applications of artificial intelligence technology, swimming, and Chinese language classes designed for international learners.

Following a successful pilot last autumn, the Citizens' Day School will also expand, offering 790 courses at 186 locations, with 69 percent new locations and 75 percent new courses. Its curriculum emphasizes professional skills, life aesthetics, and fitness, and it will introduce online courses on a trial basis to better serve residents.

The Weekend Aesthetic Education Classroom is also expanding across all 16 districts, providing 230 specialized courses tailored to young people and families.

Through these public programs, the city aims to establish a comprehensive, citywide aesthetic education service system that weaves learning into the fabric of daily life.

To ensure quality, the programs have introduced rigorous management mechanisms, including standardized entry criteria for courses and instructors, as well as a withdrawal system for venues or courses that fail to meet standards.

A new "waitlist" function will also be added to the registration platform this season, enabling applicants to automatically fill vacancies as they arise and making the enrollment process more efficient and user-friendly.

Online registration will open on March 3, 7, and 8, respectively, with classes commencing in early April.

Here is how to apply for the courses:

First, scan the QR code below to open the registration platform.

Second, choose the class category that fits you best — whether for young and middle-aged (18 to 60 years old) or seniors (61 to 70 years old).

Third, select the class you're interested in and sign up.

If you're interested in taking a course at the Citizens' Art Night School, here’s what you need to know:

Training Period

April 13 – July 17

Monday to Friday, 7 pm - 8:30 pm/6 pm - 7:30 pm

Eligibility

Middle-Aged and Youth Classes: 18-60 years old

Middle-Aged and Senior Classes: 60-70 years old

Online Courses: 18-70 years old

Registration 

March 7, 10 am – March 20, 5 pm

Source: Jiefang Daily