The 24th China Shanghai International Arts Festival has officially begun accepting applications for programs, with the deadline set for March 31, announced by the event organizer during a press conference held on Jan 21.

The Center for China Shanghai International Arts Festival said the art gala is actively seeking applications from both esteemed domestic and international artists. The festival has a preference for original art programs, particularly those making their debut in Shanghai and those exclusively tailored for the city.

In a bid to foster creativity and innovation, the festival will allocate space for the presentation of groundbreaking works by young artists worldwide, aged no older than 45. Through their art performances, the festival aims to provide a platform for these artists to express themselves and convey meaningful messages on a broader scale, with unwavering support for those selected at every stage.

The center has also released a comprehensive handbook that evaluates the 23rd edition of the CSIAF across various metrics, including audience composition, brand recognition, economic impact, satisfaction rates, and suggestions for future development.

Last year's festival saw the participation of over 16,000 artists from 80 countries and regions, showcasing a total of 1,600 shows and exhibitions. Notably, the revenue generated by 56 major shows amounted to 70.25 million yuan ($9.65 million), marking a significant 25.5 percent increase compared to the previous year.

Drawing a diverse audience, the event attracted a total of 144,000 attendees to the theater, with 24.1 percent hailing from cities beyond Shanghai and 7.8 percent from overseas. During the press conference, the event organizer also unveiled the top 10 most influential shows from the previous year's edition, with six performances by international groups and four by domestic artists taking center stage.

Gu Yingjie contributed to this story.