China Academy of Art (Chinese: 中国美术学院), also translated as China National Academy of Fine Arts, was founded in Hangzhou in 1928 by the government of the Republic of China and the renowned educator Cai Yuanpei. It was the first art university and first graduate school in Chinese history. In 2016, the Academy has been approved to be jointly-administrated by Zhejiang Provincial Government, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture. It is a Chinese state Double First Class University Plan university.[1]
At the time, China Academy of Art’s goal was to promote fine arts education as a replacement for religion in the then war-torn China. Fine arts has been held as equal to a religion at the institution for over nine decades. The academy has many renowned artists as its alumni and is considered one of the most prestigious art institutions in the country. It is colloquially called Guomei.
Campuses
- Nanshan Campus, 218 Nanshan Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou
- Zhangjiang Campus, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong New District, Shanghai
- Xiangshan Central Campus, Zhuantang Sub-district, Xihu (West Lake) District, Hangzhou (Its south part was moved to current location in 2007 from Xihuan Road, Binjiang District.)
- Liangzhu Campus, Guduan Road, Westlake District, Hangzhou