Abstract
As rural tourism in China shifts from resource exploitation toward cultural experiences, art intervention has emerged as an important driver of rural development. However, its implications for livelihood capital and livelihood strategies remain insufficiently understood. The study selected Qingshan Village in Hangzhou as the study site and drew on semi-structured interviews with 18 homestay operators. Drawing on grounded theory analysis, the study constructed an analytical framework linking art intervention, homestay development, livelihood capital, and livelihood strategies. The findings show that art intervention reshapes rural space and local image, enhances tourism attractiveness, and creates market opportunities for homestays by transforming underutilized residential properties into tourism-oriented business spaces. Homestay development facilitates the reconfiguration of livelihood capital by mobilizing housing, labor, social relationships, and rural resources for tourism operations. The livelihood strategies of participating residents have shifted from a single mode to diversified modes, primarily comprising homestay-dominated, catering-dominated, and part-time homestay patterns. These findings highlight the role of rural homestay development in translating opportunities created by art intervention into livelihood benefits for local residents and promoting sustainable rural development.