Celebrating Creativity: The Launch of the Grand Tour 2026 CAA Graduation and International Youth Art Dialogue

Kickoff of the Grand Tour 2026 CAA Graduation Season and International Youth Art Dialogue

On June 1st, the "Grand Tour • 2026 CAA Graduation Season" officially opened in Hangzhou, hosted by the China Academy of Art (CAA). This much-anticipated event is taking place across nine different venues throughout Hangzhou and features an impressive showcase of nearly 3,000 final projects, all crafted by 2,888 graduates representing 20 diverse academic departments.

In conjunction with this celebration, the 2026 International Youth Art Dialogue was also launched. This initiative includes three significant events: "Mission of Art Education in Light of Global Civilizations — Dialogue among International Art Academy Presidents", "International Young Artists Dialogue", and "One Art Boundless Seas — International Youth Art Exhibition". These gatherings attracted directors from over 50 international art schools as well as young artists from more than 50 countries.

Yu Xuhong, the president of the CAA, emphasized that this graduation season boasts a comprehensive academic profile, showcasing considerable advances across various professional fields. He stated that artistic creation must move beyond closed spaces, engaging with the public and being tested in real social contexts. He noted that Hangzhou itself serves as a major international platform, and that the showcasing of CAA graduates significantly contributes to the evolving global art scene.

Since 2009, the CAA has pioneered the public exhibition of graduation works across all specialties, setting a precedent among artistic institutions. In 2019, this exhibition expanded beyond campus confines to the city of Hangzhou, marking a memorable graduation season in China. The theme for this year’s event, "Grand Tour", celebrates a journey of self-discovery in a world full of wonder. It symbolically indicates that every mountain and river becomes a classroom, and through traversing thousands of kilometers, one can appreciate the transformations of both the past and the present. The Grand Tour has thus become a rite of passage – young minds inscribe their histories by traveling through the world on foot and discovering culture through their observations.

The opening ceremony, held on June 1, included a thematic performance and a fashion show that intertwined visuals with physical structures. An original song for the occasion, titled "Grand Tour", echoed the ideals and passions of youth, with nearly 140 ready-to-wear outfits presented.

The International Youth Art Dialogue, infused with the spirit of the "Grand Tour", combines teaching, creation, research, and exhibition. It serves as an open platform where young artists and educators from around the world come together to contemplate the future of art education and intercultural exchanges.

In these uncertain times, the true value of art shines brightest in its ability to provide direction amid change, connect hearts, and pave the way through disruptions. The CAA graduation exhibition remains a cultural event open to all, acting as a spiritual manifesto for the youth of our era. May the young people take mountains and rivers as their stages and embark on the grand odyssey of their life journeys.

The exhibition will continue until June 21.