UArts to Curate a Prestigious Exhibition at the Beijing International Art Biennale

Philadelphia’s University of the Arts (UArts) was selected to curate a special exhibition for the eighth Beijing International Art Biennale (BIAB), held from August 30 to September 23 at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing. As one of six total exhibitions, UArts is the only representative from the United States and its exhibit will mark the first time the U.S. is highlighted at the BIAB in this fashion.

The Beijing International Art Biennale has featured more than 4,000 artists from over 100 countries since it was established in 2003 and has hosted over one million visitors. Aiming to showcase China’s grace in opening up to the world, the Beijing Biennale was developed after China joined the World Trade Organization and won the 2008 Olympic Games bid. 

The American Special Exhibition will center around UArts’ 142-year history of promoting creativity. Featuring 22 pieces of art, the exhibit will spotlight work from 11 teaching artists and alumni: Mark Campbell, Daniel Clayman, Matt Curtius and Gina Triplett, Shawn Faust, Laura Frazure, Beverly Fishman, Michael Grothusen, Mi-Kyoung Lee, Alan Price, Rebecca Sack and Loveis Wise. UArts selected these artists because it believes their work best represents its goal of providing students with an education rooted in creativity. The exhibition will be curated by UArts President and CEO David Yager and Vice President Rick Longo. In a press release, Yager described how excited he was for this opportunity, “It is a great honor for the University of the Arts to be selected to curate the United States pavilion at this global art exhibition. It’s also an exceptional opportunity to showcase the extraordinary artist/educators from the University of the Arts, and the university’s history of developing creative leaders for over a century.” 

UArts was founded in 1876 and remains one of the only universities in the U.S. solely dedicated to educating students in the visual and performing arts, writing, and design. Through its mission of advancing human creativity, UArts aims to prepare its 1,800 undergraduate and graduate students to be innovators in their artistic fields, whether this be through a specific artistic discipline or by applying their creative education to any other career. 

Article written by Ameilia Winger on behalf of Global Philadelphia Association

Photo credit: Beyond My Ken