Three art schools create global exchange program

Three institutes for the arts from China and the United Kingdom announced an artist-in-residence exchange program on April 25.

The three-year program, joint-developed by the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, Arts in Heritage Research Ltd in Hong Kong and the Royal Academy of Arts in London, will select eight emerging artists each year to participate in the exchange from early August to mid-September.

Each residency will rotate between the three cities of Beijing, Hong Kong and London. At the end of the program, the artists are expected to put on a two-week exhibition.

The Royal Academy Schools is the host institution this summer. The host institution will select four artists, while the other two institutions will each send two artists to the four-week residency. In Beijing and the UK, applications are limited to the schools’ student bodies. In Hong Kong, artists under the age of 30 are welcome to apply.

"By implementing the exchange program in collaboration with CAFA and AHR, the RA hopes to enhance its own educational capabilities, connecting emerging artists from Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland and the UK, disseminating learning and ideas across the international art community," said Charles Saumarez Smith, secretary and chief executive of the Royal Academy of Arts.

Xu Bing, vice-president of CAFA said, "We hope the project will enrich the international experience of CAFA students, while inspiring mutual understanding for the next generation. "