Suzhou Jinpu No. 9 Design Town in SIP hosted a promotional event on Aug 31, aiming to entice more participants to the 2018 (2nd) Community Arts Award (CAA) and the 2018 "Jiang Xi Cup" Jade Design Contest. The two design competitions were launched at the town in June and will respectively last till October and November.

The town, a nearly 6-ha design cluster developed by Gold Mantis Group based on an out-dated furniture factory, has drawn wide attention from the public since it came into operation in May. With about 100 creative design solution suppliers, a skill training base and a one-stop business service center, it is dedicated to bolstering development of local cultural and creative industries, carrying forward Suzhou culture and crafts and cultivating related professionals. The two events are part of the efforts for the purposes.

CAA was first held last year, designed to discover people with talents in design and encourage them to create works with both artistic and utility value for daily life. This year's event embraces works incorporating traditional cultural elements and spiritual connotation. The deadline for submitting entries is Oct 16.

The jade design contest was initiated in honor of Jiang Xi, a Chinese master in applied art. It is aimed at discovering promising jade designers and fostering innovative fusion of traditional and modern design concepts. It celebrates jade ornaments that meet the ordinary people's demand and taste. The deadline for this event is Nov 15.

It is learnt that both events have attracted many teachers and students from art schools inside and outside Jiangsu province. The organizer hopes that the promotion can help attract more domestic and overseas professional and amateur designers.