The Arts of China

An army of buried warriors, lion dances, dancing shadows and a tornado of fire... experience the vibrant diversity of the arts across China.

Video Series

China: Arts & Culture

This video series, from the archives of the Kennedy Center's Education Department, brings you a glimpse of the history and diversity of China's performing arts.

Audio Series

Sounds of China

Chinese music dates back thousands of years and sounds different from Western music thanks to important differences in tone, musical scale, pitch, instrumentation and individual instruments. With instruments crafted from a wide variety of materials, including, bamboo, silk, gourd, clay and stone—-and played in a diverse range of styles, from single voices to richly melodic orchestral pieces--Chinese music is as varied as the people who create it.

Website

Art of the Explosion: Fireworks

This multimedia exploration explores the science and art of pyrotechnics and chronicles the making of Cai’s Tornado: Explosion Project for the Kennedy Center.

Lesson

Science Meets Artistry: the Work of Cai Guo-Qiang

Studying the work of artist Cai Guo-Qiang, students will understand the technological, logistical, and artistic factors for performance-oriented works.

Video Series

Tornado, by Cai Guo-Qiang

This excerpt from Cai's Tornado: Explosion Project for the Kennedy Center includes both the dancing boats and the tornado itself.

Video

Shaanxi Folk Art Theater

This side by side video shows the story of the turtle and the crane as seen by the audience and behind the screen as the puppeteers bring the story to life.

Website

Playing with Shadows: An Introduction to Shadow Puppets

Discover the secrets behind the art of shadow puppetry in this multimedia exploration, designed for grades 5-8, which explores this age-old art form through animations, videos, interactive activities, and more.

Video

Beijing Traditional Music Ensemble

Virtuoso musicians demonstrate a range of distinctive styles in Chinese music

Video

Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra

Join the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra for a lecture and demonstration explaining each of the four sections of the Chinese orchestra as well as some of the individual instruments.

Video

Terra Cotta Warriors

The Terra Cotta Warriors are a collection of 8,000 statues that were buried over 2,000 years ago in the tomb of China's first emperor Qin Shi Huang.

Video

Yunnan Singers, Dancers & Musicians

Artists of the Yi and Wa ethnic groups from Yunnan Province-the most ethnically diverse in China-demonstrate their unique folk traditions in this excerpt from the Kennedy Center's free Millennium Stage show.

Lesson

Chinese Instruments

Explore the similarities and differences between traditional western instruments and Chinese instruments while creating a Chinese instrument.

Lesson

The Chinese Lion Dance

Dance in the Chinese New Year with your K-2 students

Lesson

Chinese Calligraphy

Students will experience the art and culture of Chinese calligraphy and Chinese ink painting through watercolor painting and Chinese instrumental music.

This Day in the Arts