About us

The predecessor of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts was Central South College of Fine Arts. It was established in Wuhan, Hubei Province in 1953 in accordance with the national construction layout as a specialized art college. At that time, it was formed by the merger of relevant departments and personnel from Central South College of Literature and Art, South China People's College of Literature and Art, Guangxi Provincial Art College and other institutions. The first principal was Hu Yichuan, a renowned revolutionary artist who participated in the Yan 'an Literature and Art Symposium. The first vice principals were Yang Qiuren, a famous oil painter, Guan Shanyue and Yang Taiyang, two famous traditional Chinese painters.

In 1958, the Central South College of Fine Arts moved south from Wuhan to Guangzhou and was renamed the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts. In 2023, after review and approval by the Academic Degrees Committee of The State Council, six new degree authorization points were adjusted and added. Two degree authorization points will be approved in 2024. At present, the school has a total of 3 doctoral degree authorization points, including 2 first-level disciplines authorized for doctoral degrees (Art Studies and Design Studies), and 1 category authorized for doctoral professional degrees (Fine Arts and Calligraphy). There are 9 master's degree authorization points, including 3 first-level disciplines for master's degree authorization (Art Studies, Design Studies, and Architecture), and 6 master's professional degree authorization categories (Fine Arts and Calligraphy, Design, Drama and Film, Museum, Landscape Architecture, and Education). The school has a postdoctoral research station for art studies.