Central Academy of Fine Arts

Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) is China's premier and only national higher education institution directly under the Ministry of Education devoted exclusively to fine arts. Founded in 1950 through the merger of the National Beiping School of Art (established in 1918) and the Fine Arts Department of North China University, CAFA carries a legacy spanning over a century of Chinese modern art education. The academy was named by Chairman Mao Zedong himself. Today, CAFA stands as a leading comprehensive art institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs across multiple disciplines including Chinese painting, calligraphy, oil painting, sculpture, printmaking, experimental art, design, architecture, and art management. With extensive facilities including a prestigious art museum, specialized teaching studios, and research centers, CAFA serves as both an educational hub and a creative research institution. The academy maintains strategic partnerships with cultural organizations and international institutions, hosting exhibitions and academic exchanges that connect Chinese contemporary art with global audiences. Students and faculty engage in cutting-edge artistic creation and research, while the institution actively contributes to China's cultural development through exhibitions, publications, and public engagement programs.