Up Close and Personal
An Interview with Mr Qian Shi Jin,
Artistic Director,
Shanghai Grand Theatre, China
 With the Asia-Pacific region's rapid economic development, the development of arts is also seeing a gradual rising trend. Many new performing arts centres, theatres, concert halls have been built or in their construction stages. There is a growing need to fill these venues with rich programming, and accompanying this, there is also a rising demand for technical and professional management staff in this area.
In the approach of promoting and marketing the arts, I believe good programming takes the lead, the market gives the directions, strong operations is the core, and good management forms the foundation. The core management concept must be universally practiced, and ensure there is practical considerations of local needs or trends, in order to create the best ‘customised approach’.
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I fell in love with music ever since I heard John Strauss's "Blue Danube" Waltz over the radio. I was mesmerised by the beautiful melody. With further influences from other forms of arts, I felt enriched and it cultivated character in myself. That was how the Arts touched my life. In 1965, I graduated from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and joined the Shanghai Ballet Troupe as a violinist in the orchestra. In 1985 during the years when China was going through reform and opening up, I joined the management of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, and eventually became the General Manager of the orchestra.
In 1991, I joined the Shanghai Cultural Exchange Company's management team, and became the Deputy General Manager of this professional company, which manages artistic performances to and from Shanghai. In view of the many years of experience that I had (in ballet, orchestra, managing international performances, etc.), I was then appointed in 1996 as the Deputy General Manager of the new Shanghai Grand Theatre, in charge of programming and productions. I am currently the Artistic Director of Shanghai Grand Theatre and the Advisor of the China’s National Centre of the Performing Arts in Beijing.
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| My vision for Shanghai Grand Theatre is that it should become the benchmark of theatres in China, the label for urban culture, and the hub for cultural creativity. To achieve the vision, Shanghai Grand Theatre will strive to bring the best works of art, the best arts experience and the best arts education to its people. |
Shanghai Grand Theatre
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My philosophy in life is "never be satisfied" and yet “be happy with what you have". 
Mr Qian with Judith Jamison,
Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. |
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