Central Academy of Fine Arts

The Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA; ) is a national public fine arts academy in Beijing, China. It is affiliated with the Ministry of Education. The academy is part of the Double First Class University Plan. The academy is the only institution of higher education for fine arts under the administration of the Ministry of Education of China. The Manila Bulletin calls the school "China’s most prestigious and renowned art academy". It is one of the most selective universities in the country and turns away more than 95% of applicants every year. The acceptance rate was only 1.58% in 2019. Central Academy of Fine Arts is included in the Chinese state Double First Class University Plan as a Double First Class University. Central Academy of Fine Arts was the first national school of fine arts in Chinese history, and also the beginning of Chinese modern education of fine arts. Since its establishment in 1918, it has produced many notable Artists. Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) is ranked No.1 in Fine Arts by the Development Centre for Academic Degrees and Postgraduate Education, Ministry of Education, China. Overview The history of the National Art School in Beiping dates back to the founding of the National School of Fine Arts in Beijing in 1918, advocated by the educator Cai Yuanpei. It was the first national school of fine arts in China and also the beginning of Chinese modern education of fine arts. The academy was founded in April 1950, as a result of a merger between the National Art School in Beiping and the department of fine arts at the third campus of North China University. The former principals of CAFA include Xu Beihong, Jiang Feng, Wu Zuoren, Gu Yuan and Jin Shangyi. The current president is the painter and historian of fine arts, Prof. Pan Gongkai. The current Vice President is the contemporary artist, Xu Bing. The current secretary of CPC's committee is Yang Li. The current director of academic commission is Jin Shangyi. The academy comprises six specialty schools: Fine Art, Chinese Painting, Design, Architecture, Humanities and Urban Design. A post-graduate education school and high school of fine arts are also affiliated. There are 534 teachers and staff for 3,800 undergraduate and graduate students and over 100 international students. Its museum of fine arts boasts precious collections, including more than 2,000 Chinese scroll paintings from the Ming dynasty.