In the past two decade, the newest international city Chongqing, lack of professional art organisation can facilitate vast number of art produce, but is the geographical and cultural center of south west china. The local art university, Sichuan Fine art institute, is so-called Chinese contemporary art ‘cradle’ where many famous art figures are working for and graduate from, such best known name as ZhangxiaoGuang,Fanglijun,Wangguyi, Gaominglu etc. 80% of our members are composed by lecturer, professor, art critic, art historian and professional artist. 501 based in this highly present art activities area, benefit for this cultural environment, surround by many other art spaces (e.g. university opened Tank loft) and have good networking to public.
501 Contemporary Art Center established at June of 2006, since then our organisation already has been layout by various functions including promote emerging /young artist, cross-culture cooperations and academic research. Original 501 Contemporary Art Center is 5 storey Bauhaus building which restructured 10,200 square meters venues from an old warehouse, elected Art Academic Committee supervised overall administration affairs and turns the space into 65 individual artist studios, 3 experimental art groups, 2 major art galleries and one residency workstation. 501 currently expanded to two locations, north and south area. In the new north 501 there are other 68 artists had involved, a new 10,000 square meters exhibition hall will launch.