China Academy of Art Launches 2026 Grand Tour Graduation Season

The event spans nine venues across the city, showcasing the culmination of work from 20 academic units. Running until June 21, the exhibition is paired with the International Youth Art Dialogue, which drew deans from over 50 global art academies and participants from more than 50 countries. The program features high-level academic discussions, the International Young Artists Dialogue, and a sprawling international youth art exhibition.

CAA President Yu Xuhong noted that the institution has moved beyond traditional academic boundaries, positioning the graduation season as a substantive force in the contemporary art landscape. Since 2009, the academy has pioneered the public display of student work, but the 2019 expansion into the city of Hangzhou solidified its role as a premier cultural event. This year’s opening ceremony underscored the theme with a fashion show featuring 140 ready-to-wear outfits and a site-specific performance, reinforcing the idea that for these graduates, the physical landscape of mountains and rivers serves as their primary classroom.