On March 26, 2025, a delegation led by Antonio Cicchelli, President of the Bari Academy of Fine Arts, visited the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) to engage in in-depth discussions with CAFA President Lin Mao regarding future collaborations between the two institutions. The two parties held friendly talks on cooperation in various fields, including teaching innovation, academic research, artistic creation, cultural exchange, and student exchange programs.

Lin Mao warmly welcomed the delegation from the Bari Academy of Fine Arts and provided a detailed introduction to CAFA’s academic structure, teaching characteristics, and achievements in art education in recent years. He emphasized that CAFA has been actively seeking international collaborations with renowned art institutions. As a prestigious art academy in Italy and Europe, the Bari Academy of Fine Arts has a rich tradition and unique strengths in both artistic heritage and innovation. Lin noted that the two institutions have strong complementarities in teaching philosophy and artistic styles, offering vast potential for collaboration.

Antonio Cicchelli expressed his heartfelt gratitude for CAFA’s warm reception and highly praised its outstanding achievements in art education. He remarked that although CAFA and the Bari Academy of Fine Arts are separated by great distance, they share a deep resonance in their artistic pursuits. He highlighted the significant potential for collaboration in artistic creation, theoretical research, and talent development. This visit, he noted, provided an excellent opportunity for both institutions to deepen mutual understanding and expand their cooperation. He looks forward to working together to spark new ideas in art education and cultivate more artists with international perspectives and innovative capabilities.

The two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking a new phase in their collaboration in art education and laying a solid foundation for future cooperation.

Following the meeting, staff from CAFA’s International Office accompanied President Antonio Cicchelli and his delegation on a tour of CAFA’s oil-painting and sculpture studios.