In Songyang county, Lishui, Zhejiang province, rural vitalization has been closely linked with cultural and artistic initiatives. The Jiuceng Art Museum, nestled in Hengkeng village, is a symbol of this relationship.

Built leaning against the mountains, the museum, like a winding dragon, guards the ancient village with a history of over 300 years. Since 2018, Songyang has initiated a plan to attract artists to the area. Yang Yang, director of the Jiuceng Art Museum in Beijing, is one of them.

Falling in love with the village at first sight, Yang decided to settle here to establish a unique art museum. "A good art museum must be grown on the land, in harmony with the environment and villagers," explained Yang.

Since May 2023, the museum has hosted several special exhibitions focusing on the scenery and objects that can be seen about the village. These showcases have attracted more than 420 works by artists from all over the country and received thousands of visits.

Additionally, Yang has utilized her artistic resources to teach villagers how to create bamboo products, providing employment opportunities for more than 20 local elders.

Beyond the museum, creative fairs have also sprung up, injecting new vitality into the village. A fair themed "Spring of the Sewing Machine" took place in Songzhuang village on March 16. Around 10 booths featuring exquisite handicrafts including woven products, straw hats, and pottery products, captured the attention of many young visitors.

With over 30 sites, bases, and organizations for artistic rural development, new forms of business, new models, and new organizations are still emerging in Songyang county.