THREE spaces in Qingdao Museum were the center of attention at the International Council of Museums Conference (ICOM) 2010 in Shanghai from Nov. 7 to 13.

The medium-sized museum lacked abundant cultural relics resources compared with State-level museums, so it needed to develop its own characteristics to become popular.

Last year, Qingdao Museum started building an interaction space, a masterpiece appreciation space and a contemporary art space.

The interaction space was popular with families and children, who paint their favorite Qingdao scenery on wood, draw faces and pictures on moon cakes, fans and Beijing opera facial make-up, or make sculptures during weekends and holidays.

This space is specially designed for young visitors to enhance a sense of history and art. At its peek, the museum attracted more than 3,000 people a day.

The masterpiece appreciation space has entered the Japanese market in collaboration with travel agencies. More than 10 professional groups had visited the space and several artistic groups had started to work together with the museum to enhance the popularity of both cultures.

The contemporary space offers contemporary artists a platform to show their talent. It also exhibits different styles of works by other artists.

(Jane Lai, Wang Ping)