Suzhou Creek Art District is home to Shanghai’s contemporary art scene. An alternative name for the quarter is 50 Moganshan (or M50), which is the actual address or site of the art quarter. While tucked away in an old industrial area along the Suzhou Creek, the art quarter is still conveniently close to downtown Jing'an District.
The art scene at 50 Moganshan is relatively young, it was originally founded in 2000 by artist Xue Song[1] who was initially attracted by the possibilities of the disused industrial space and the cheap rent. Other artists, creatives and galleries soon followed. Today the quarter’s former factories and warehouses have been converted into art galleries, artists’ studios, design agencies and other visual art and cultural businesses of various sizes. Suzhou Creek Art District has been compared to 798 Art Zone in the Dashanzi district of Beijing.
The quarter has become a popular cultural attraction for local and international visitors alike. The district has over 100 artists in residence,[2] their studios are open to the public.
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