Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts

Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts (SAFA) is one of the representative art academies in China with its profound history dated back to 1912. As an art education institution and art experiment laboratory, SAFA is home to many established art practitioners who have contributed to the progression of modern and contemporary art in China and beyond.

Apart from the systematic art education regime based on nine departments, ranging from plastic arts, new media art, and public art, to art theory and architecture, SAFA is committed to providing an extensive platform in collaboration with world-leading art academies for students and faculties to explore, exchange and develop. With an open mind and global vision, SAFA has not only been leading active city projects including public space renovation and regeneration, but also engaging in international exchanges like biennales, art festivals, as well as global associations. 

In 2024, SAFA will move into an international art city co-established with BAOWU Group, the world’s second largest steel company. Converted from the industrial heritage to cutting-edged art and education realm, the new site is provoking multi-disciplinary discourses of cultural topography which are under refinement through programs like SIAC Forums and Shanghai Curators Lab (SCL) for the last three years.