On March 17, 2026, on the occasion of the 130th anniversary of the birth of Liu Haisu—a pioneer of China’s New Arts Movement and a key figure in modern arts education—Nanjing University of the Arts and the Chinese National Academy of Arts jointly host an academic symposium on Liu’s arts education philosophy, alongside an exhibition showcasing relevant documents. These events aim to revisit his spirit of “unceasing transformation,” trace the roots of modern Chinese arts education, and draw inspiration for the future.

Liu stands as a towering figure in 20th-century Chinese arts history, renowned as an artist, art educator, and social activist. In 1912, he founded the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts, China's first modern specialized arts school, marking the official start of modern arts education in the nation.

As the direct inheritor of Liu’s spirit, Nanjing University of the Arts remains committed to promoting his philosophy of arts education, using it as a guiding principle for governance and institutional development, and thereby injecting strong intellectual and spiritual momentum into the university’s high-quality growth.