The Ministry of Culture and other government departments are finishing up a new framework for certifying culture and arts professionals. The Beijing News ran a Xinhua story today under the headline “If you want to be a music or movie star, you’ll need certification”:
…this implies that from now on, working in cultural sectors like film & TV, singing, and dance will require certification.
The cultural industries professional certification will become a basis for cultural work units to contract and hire talent as well as assess rewards and punishments….reportedly, more than 30 occupations, such as film director and singing performer, have been listed as belonging especially to the cultural industries, the national standards, exam question banks, and reference materials have already been developed….
Wang Qing, party secretary of the MoC’s Cultural and Artistic Talent Center, said that the promotion of a professional certification system will maximize the selection of qualified talent to join the ranks of cultural workers. At the same time, it will work in broader society to cool down all manner of talent events that are being conducted for commercial aims. Reportedly, appraisal of professional talent in the cultural sector is directed at all people working in culture and the arts, as well as students majoring in the arts at culture and art institutes and other tertiary institutions; those who pass the test will be issued a uniform national professional certification. In three to five years, certification for entering the cultural sector and for being employed in cultural work units will gradually be implemented.
Wang seems to be saying that once producers and agents can recognize talent merely by glancing over a professional certification, there will no longer be any reason to air programs like Super Girls and Happy Boys. Already vulgar and indulgent, according to SARFT earlier this month, it now appears the shows are ultimately irrelevant.
Reactions from observers are translated at China Media Project.
Update: More reactions and information: Talent shows applaud the new professional exams; everyone else scoffs, Ministry of Culture explains the culture certification system
- Xinhua via TBN (Chinese): If you want to be a music or movie star, you’ll need certification
- Xinhua via CIIC: Strict rules to rein in TV talent contest