Performance evaluation of dance programmes subsidized by China national arts fund (2014– 2019)

ABSTRACTState funding in support of art development is a crucial area of research in arts management. After the 1980s, China began to reform its cultural system. Drawing on the historical experience of Western countries in subsidizing art, the Chinese government made constant adjustments to its system. In 2013, the China National Arts Fund (CNAF) was established, indicating the Chinese government’s efforts to enhance the modernization level of arts management and explore funding methods with Chinese characteristics. Based on quantitative data and case studies and through the analysis of the quantity, types, institutional ownership, and regional trends of dance programmes funded by CNAF (2014–2019), this paper concludes that the current funding trend is presented with three characteristics: differentiation classification, imbalance, localization of content and theme. The study found that CNAF is facing three challenges and dilemmas: (1) the effectiveness and diversity of its guiding function; (2) the level of its fine-grained and flat management; (3) the performance evaluation mechanism of funded programmes. Based on the findings and discussion of the research, this paper proposes policy suggestions and future research directions.KEYWORDS: Fundingdance programmeseffectivenesslocalization characteristics Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Notes1. Ziyong Han was the first director of CNAF.2. Due to the differences in cultural management systems, Art institutions in China cannot be directly divided into for-profit or non-profit organizations. Public institutions are set up by the government with a certain nature of public welfare but do not belong to government agencies, similar to non-profit organizations, such as art troupes and academies. Dance companies include both state-owned and private companies, similar to profit organizations.3. The Lotus Awards (荷花奖) is a professional dance appraisal event sponsored by China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (CFLAC) and the China Dancers Association (CDA), which was established in 1996. Wenhua Award (文华奖) is the highest government award for professional stage arts sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China (MCT), which was established in 1991.4. The Eternal Wave (永不消逝的电波) is a dance with a revolutionary historical theme drama rehearsed by Shanghai Dance Theatre Co., Ltd.5. Jinggang·Jinggang(井冈·井冈) is a dance drama with a revolutionary historical theme, created by Beijing Dance Academy.6. Mulan(花木兰) is a dance drama with a Chinese traditional culture theme, created by the Ningbo Song and Dance Theater. The content is based on famous Chinese folk tales.7. Du Fu(杜甫) is a dance drama with a Chinese traditional culture theme, created by Chongqing Song and Dance Ensemble Co., Ltd. The dance drama presents the life of Tu Fu, who is known as the poet-sage in China.8. Dust(尘) is a dance drama with a Chinese traditional culture theme and it is co-created by Professor Tian Lu of Beijing Dance Academy and her graduate students, based on the novel Red Poppies by Tibetan writer Alai.9. Family(家) is a dance drama with a Chinese traditional culture theme, created by Sichuan Song and Dance Theater Co., Ltd. and it is adapted from the novel of the same name by Ba Jin.Additional informationFundingThe research was supported by the National Social Science Foundation of China (No. 19ZD18), Part of the research results have been published in Chinese in the Journal of Jilin University of the Arts(2022, No.3).Notes on contributorsMing MaMing Ma (PhD) is a Professor at the School of Humanities, Beijing Dance Academy, China. He was a visiting scholar at the University of Cincinnati (2011-2012). He has published over 25 academic articles in Chinese core journals (CSSCI) and 4 monographs, including on topics such as digital technology and performing arts, international performance markets, arts fundraising, and theatre management. His research interests include cross-cultural communication of dance and arts administration. He is the board of the China Cultural Industries Management Committee and Beijing Peacock Contemporary Dance Company.Lanbin PengLanbin Peng is a lecturer at the School of Humanities and Arts, Hunan University of Finance and Economics, China. She graduated from Beijing Dance Academy with a Master’s degree in Art Management. Her research interests include cultural policy and non-profit dance company management.