On June 1, the Grand Tour · 2026 China Academy of Art (CAA) Graduation Season officially opened in Hangzhou, alongside the launch of the 2026 International Youth Art Dialogue. Bringing together nearly 3,000 graduation works and participants from more than 50 countries, the event has transformed the city into a vibrant stage for artistic innovation, cultural exchange, and youth creativity.
Spanning nine venues across Hangzhou, the Graduation Season showcases works by 2,888 graduates from 20 academic units of CAA, including undergraduate, master's, doctoral, and affiliated high school students. Guided by the spirit of the "Grand Tour"—a journey of discovery, learning, and engagement with the world—the exhibition invites the public to experience emerging artistic voices and explore how a new generation is responding to contemporary society through art.
The opening ceremony featured a multidisciplinary performance and fashion show, combining music, documentary film, visual art, and live performance to create a narrative of departure, exploration, and transformation. Nearly 140 fashion designs by graduating students were presented across four themed chapters, highlighting the creativity and vision of China's next generation of designers.
The International Youth Art Dialogue, launched concurrently with the Graduation Season, includes three major programs: the Dialogue among International Art Academy Presidents, the International Young Artists Dialogue, and the One Art, Boundless Seas International Youth Art Exhibition. More than 50 presidents and deans of art academies worldwide joined young artists from over 50 countries to discuss the future of art education, cultural exchange, and creative collaboration in an increasingly interconnected world.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, CAA President Yu Xuhong emphasized that art must engage with society rather than remain confined within exhibition halls. He noted that Hangzhou itself has become an important international platform for artistic exchange and encouraged young artists to draw strength from cultural traditions while boldly exploring new creative frontiers.
Since pioneering its Graduation Exhibition Week in 2009, CAA has continuously expanded the scale and public reach of its graduation showcases. Today, the Graduation Season has evolved into one of China's most influential youth art events, transforming the city into an open, wall-less academy where artistic education, public life, and urban culture converge.
The 2026 theme, Grand Tour, reimagines travel not only as movement across geography but as a journey of intellectual growth and cultural discovery. Through art, young creators interpret a rapidly changing world, transforming personal experiences into new forms of expression and understanding.
At a time of global uncertainty and technological transformation, the event highlights the enduring role of art in fostering dialogue, connecting communities, and imagining shared futures. It serves not only as a graduation exhibition, but also as a platform for young people to explore, create, and engage with the world.
The exhibition runs through June 21.
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