Rural children in Hunan Province are discovering new opportunities through art, thanks to the efforts of local artist Zhou Yan. Her Dayuan Center for Community Arts and Culture brings creative education to children often left behind by migrating parents. By combining artistic programs with hands-on activities, Zhou helps children in the countryside express themselves and gain confidence.
Zhou, 35, grew up in the same area she now serves. She remembers caring for her younger brother while her mother worked far away. Her experiences shaped her belief that rural children need guidance and encouragement to envision their futures. After graduating from the China Academy of Art, she returned to her hometown to create the Dayuan Center.
The center organizes weekly workshops where rural children gather materials from nature, cook meals, and create art together. Zhou also invites university volunteers to teach music, dance, and writing during school breaks. These interactions connect the children to the wider world and inspire new ambitions.
One participant, 17-year-old Jiang Zi’ao, developed a passion for cooking after learning from volunteers. Another, Liu Xuan, found interest in music and instrument making through Zhou’s husband, a guqin craftsman. The program has helped rural children gain direction and confidence in their abilities.
Beyond education, Zhou encourages the children to participate in community projects. They helped build a canal and road to improve access to water, enhancing daily life for the village’s elderly population. Her efforts demonstrate how rural children can actively contribute to local development.
Since its founding in 2015, the Dayuan Center has reached nearly 10,000 rural children. Its model has inspired similar programs in neighboring villages, showing how targeted education can support broader rural revitalization.
The initiative also reflects a nationwide trend. Many young Chinese are returning to rural areas, driven by opportunities linked to community development and government-supported revitalization projects. Average rural disposable income has grown, while the urban-rural income gap is narrowing.
Experts highlight that engaging rural children in education and creative activities benefits both individuals and communities. As Zhou explains, when rural children discover joy and purpose, the village itself begins to flourish.
Looking forward, Zhou plans to expand programs further, integrating more arts, technology, and social engagement for children in the countryside. She emphasizes that they are not just recipients of aid but active participants in shaping the future of their communities.
