Education

ICAST is an institute of curatorial studies for doctoral and master’s degree candidates. The teaching staff of ICAST consists of established curators, artists, and scholars from around the world. ICAST's educational framework is based on a four-way interaction between cultural studies, curatorial practice, media experiments, and artistic creation. The degree programme is designed to cultivate critics and curators with both intellectual vigour and the capacity to realize independent projects.

ICAST offers three-year practice-oriented Master of Fine Arts and Ph.D degrees to graduates from our programs. The courses adhere to the unified teaching regulations of the China Academy of Art and implement a credit system. Students receive theoretical and skill trainings in their professional field and extended educational areas through five major modules. Upon completing the required credits and successfully defending their thesis and graduation show, students will be awarded a degree certificate.

Professional Foundation / General Cultural Courses / Required Professional Courses  / Elective Professional Courses  / Extended Education

RESEARCH COURSES

1.  Theory & History

Chinese/International Contemporary Art History

Chinese/International Exhibition History

Close Reading of Curatorial Theory

2. Research Methods

Case Studies in Art History

Curatorial Theory and Methods

Thesis Research Methods

3. Research and Writing

Translation Training

Editing Training

Writing Training

4. Extended Education-Lectures & Workshops

ICAST Report/ Reflects+ Workshop：Lecture and Workshop Organization and Study

Artist and Curator Lectures and Workshops

Classical Studies and Classical Theory Lectures

Radical Philosophy and Social Theory Lectures

PRACTICE COURSES

1.  Professional Practice Basis

Institutional Internship

Exhibition Visits

Artist Studio Visits

2. Project Planning and Execution

Exhibitions

Forums

Publications

3. Curatorial Training

Curatorial Proposal Training

Independent Curating

4. Extended Education-Field Study

Social Practice and Research

Art Ecology Research

Rural Field Study

2025 Visual Culture and Curation (Professional Doctorate Degree)

Subject Area and Code: Fine Arts and Calligraphy, 135600

School (Department): School of Intermedia Art

Research Area Code: 43

Supervisor or Supervisor Committee: Lu Jie, Pi Li, Shen Lin

Time to Apply (Deadline): 2025.05.19 (Chinese Government Scholarship (B)– University Program) / 2025.05.31 (Self-payment)

How to Apply: Online application, please submit all your application materials in the official CAA website for International Students

More details for Regulations for International Students Admission of Doctoral Programs, 2025（Second Batch）

2025 Contemporary Art and Curation Practice (Professional Master’s Degree)

Subject Area and Code: Fine Arts and Calligraphy, 135600

School (Department): School of Intermedia Art

Research Area Code: 42

Supervisor Team: Lu Jie, Tang Xiaolin

Time To Apply (Deadline): 2025.03.09 (Chinese Government Scholarship (B)– University Program, Graduates of High Level) / 2025.05.19 (Chinese Government Scholarship (B)– University Program, Silk Road) / 2025.05.31 (Self-payment)

How to Apply: Online application, please submit all your application materials in the official CAA website for International Students

More details for Regulations for International Students Admission of Master’s Degree at CAA，2025

For the latest information on the 2025 admissions, please visit https://en.caa.edu.cn/study/internationalcollegeofcaa