“Future of Art” Rising Artists’ Works (R.A.W.!)

Rising Artists' Works was established in 2012,as a domestically leading comprehensive incubator for original art pieces,aimed at providing complete support for young artists from incubation to transaction,as well as building a bridge for international exchange.

In 2023,R.A.W.!introduced a series of support frameworks that safeguard young artists building their creativity chain: It not only conducts open global calls for submissions and launched a visual arts category at the same time, but also annually organizes solo exhibitions for artists and curated group exhibitions. In 2025,an Arts Panel was also established, comprising 21 world-class leading artists from seven countries and regions. Master mentor ship  sessions were introduced, and a one-to-one incubation and development mechanism was launched, advancing the support model from “broad coverage” to “deep, targeted cultivation.” In addition, it added “fusion” as a new submission genre, exploring the creative integration of technology and the stage.

Until now, R.A.W.! has commissioned 126 young artists  and groups from different fields, who produced 108 stage and visual art pieces of various styles, and has embarked on 32 exchange trips to countries and regions including the USA, the UK,Australia,Israel,Norway,Romania, Hungary, the Republic of Korea, Germany, Hong Kong, China; Macau, China; and Taiwan, China. In collaboration with the Shanghai Theater Academy,the Center for CSIAF introduced “R.A.W.!Land” in 2013, combining stage performances,visual displays, masterclasses,and creative market places together, following the motto of “Open-door festival,Fusion of culture and education", which received wide acclaim from domestic and international professionals as well as audiences.

Highly promising young creators from various fields get their start with the Rising Artists' Works (R.A.W.!) Program and, following this “river of creativity,” move into a wider world. Dancers Yin Fang, Tang Shiyi, and Wang Yabin use their bodies to convey the fluidity and intensity of art; in music, Chang Shilei, Zhu Ma, the Xi Ban Band, and Jin Chengzhi expand sonic boundaries with diverse styles and innovative arrangements; and in theater, Ma Junfeng and Jin Shijia employ distinctive narratives and stage presentations to express profound reflections. These young artists continue to work diligently in their respective fields. Their growth trajectories not only confirm the effectiveness of the R.A.W.! program’s full-chain support system, but also highlight the far-reaching significance of this platform in discovering emerging talents and revitalizing the artistic ecosystem.