Two CityU projects secure CNAF funding, promoting the integration of Macao’s arts and culture sector into national development landscape
Recently, the 2025 list of arts projects to be funded by the China National Arts Fund was officially announced. Executive Associate Dean Wang Po-Hsun of the Faculty of Innovation and Design (FIAD) at City University of Macau (CityU) led his research team and successfully secured funding for the project titled “Revival of Macao’s Splendor – Delicately Depicting the Image of Mountains, Sea, and City” under the fine arts creation category. Additionally, FIAD Assistant Professor Liu Jing led her team in applying for the “Urban Public Art and Cultural Tourism Creative Talent Training Project” under the art talent training category. Following CityU’s first successful application from CNAF funding in 2024, the funds awarded for these two projects demonstrate the disciplinary advancement of the University in design and arts.
The “Revival of Macao’s Splendor – Delicately Depicting the Image of Mountains, Sea, and City” project aims to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China and the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to China. Led by FIAD, this project brings together teams of artists from both mainland China and Macao to depict the unique landscape of Macao’s mountains, sea, and city through watercolor (gouache) paintings infused with elements of traditional Chinese painting, thereby promoting Macao’s stories. Going forward, exhibitions, seminars, and creative workshops focused on this project will be held to establish a platform for interaction between artists and the public, facilitating the promotion and exchange of culture and arts.
Executive Associate Dean Wang Po-Hsun, the leader of the arts creation project, stated that the approval represented not only recognition of their hard work but also a vital boost to the development of culture and art in Macao. He mentioned that the project was developed based on four key aspects – mountains, sea, city, and image, highlighting the aim to foster artistic innovation by stimulating collaborative creation and showcasing the harmonious beauty of Macao’s history and modernity, as well as nature and humanity. He added that the project team would actively prepare an array of creative activities and build exchange platforms to further the prosperity and growth of Macao’s cultural and artistic landscape following the approval.
Another fund-supported project is the “Urban Public Art and Cultural Tourism Creative Talent Training Project.” This project aims to enhance the cultural soft power of Hengqin and Macao by boosting dynamics in the industries and promoting the integrated development of cultural tourism and public art through the innovative synergy of the two regions in the arts and cultural tourism sectors. Using Hengqin as the pillar and Macao as the driving force, the project is dedicated to enhancing ecological cultural tourism experiences and nurturing a group of creative talents focused on urban art and cultural tourism development in the context of Hengqin and Macao.
Assistant Professor Liu Jing, the leader of the talent training project, emphasized that the successful approval of this project highlights the country’s support for the cultural integration of Macao and Hengqin, providing an unprecedented platform and opportunities for artistic talents from both regions. She stated that the aim of this training is to deepen collaboration between the two cities through the integration of arts and cultural tourism, exploring new avenues for the arts and cultural development of Hengqin and Macao. She mentioned the project team would ensure the smooth implementation of various training programs and contribute to the integration of Hengqin and Macao, grooming talents in cultural tourism and artistic creation.
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This year, CNAF received 11,091 project applications. A total of 818 projects were granted funding after a rigorous review by the experts, resulting in a comprehensive approval rate of about 7.4%. Among 1,386 applications for art talent training projects, 135 were approved, yielding a success rate of approximately 9.74%. For fine art organization creation projects, out of 148 applications, 12 were approved, with a success rate of about 8.11%.
The China National Arts Fund (CNAF), along with the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and the National Social Science Fund of China (NSSFC), are recognized as the three major funds across the nation. In the cultural and artistic field of China, CNAF represents one of the highest levels of funding support for artistic creation projects. CNAF aims to promote original artistic research and creation, cultivate outstanding works and artistic talent, and foster the healthy development of national arts.
Since 2021, CNAF has been fully accessible to Hong Kong and Macao for general project applications, reflecting an important policy initiative by the central government to support the development of arts and culture in these regions. In 2025, a total of ten projects submitted by Macao’s institutions and artists in this field were selected for funding support.
Source: Faculty of Innovation and Design
