There is a special organization called Nan Gong Da Sai Fu founded by college students, which offers free service such as training, renting performance space, arranging live shows, etc, to local folk artists.
Nine students in Nanjing wanted to take part in the International SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) Contest, which required them to finish a community service project. When they were at a loss what to do, one of them met a sugar figurine maker, whose delicate works had impressed many kids. Suddenly, an idea came to them that they should take the responsibility to help preserve these traditional arts.
After a general investigation, the nine of them learned that many folk artists in Nanjing had been struggling with poverty. Thus they came to Wang Gaofei, a famous iron picture painter. With the help of Wang, an art troupe was founded, including 14 skillful artists. Now, the troupe, Dynasties Folk Art Troupe, has become a major art troupe in Nanjing, and their performance can be seen at nearly all celebrations, thanks to the effort of the students.
(Chinanews.cn August 2, 2007)
