On the evening of June 19, the 2024 CAA Graduation Ceremony took place at the Xiangshan Campus amidst gentle summer rain. With the mountains endless and rivers awaiting new journeys, 2,692 students across undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs have graduated, embarking on a new chapter in their lives.

Chairman of the Committee of Academy Affairs Jin Yibin, President Gao Shiming, Director of the Academic Board Xu Jiang, members of the CAA leadership Sun Xudong, Shen Hao, Fu Qiaoling, Cao Xiaoyang, Chen Yujie, Xia Wenli, Xu Guoqiang, and Yu Xuhong, members of the Academic Board, Academic Degree Committee, directors of schools and departments, as well as the entire Class of 2024 and their families, attended the ceremony at the Shanbei Ground Track Field, Xiangshan Campus. Vice Chairman of the Committee of Academy Affairs Fu Qiaoling hosted the event.

The graduation ceremony commenced with the solemn rendition of the national anthem.

In his address, Chairman Jin Yibin delivered a heartfelt message to the graduates through poetic lines, noting that today's parting is but a moment to prepare for the future journey toward the dreams they cherish:

"Separation is but a moment,

Closeness is within reach.

Do not say that parting by the autumn river is hard,

For tomorrow the boat heads to Chang'an.

Cultivate a spirit as vast as the rivers and mountains,

Fight for art, for together we traverse thousands of miles."

President Gao Shiming, in his speech titled Being "Artists of the World", emphasized that the core of CAA's education is to help students appreciate different worldviews, understand the diversity of worlds, cultivate sensitivity, discernment and tolerance, and establish independent spirit. He affirmed the success of the "World Tree · 2024 CAA Graduation Season", feeling from students' graduation works a spirit of ambition that resists mediocrity—a spirit that brings the will to create and a spirit of transcendence, combined with concern for the real world, which will undoubtedly generate considerable energy to change the world in the future.

President Gao highlighted the two types of AI: Artificial Intelligence, and Artistic Intelligence. As artificial intelligence becomes more sophisticated, the need for artistic intelligence becomes more critical; as digital virtual technologies and their industries of illusion advance, the experiential and emotional aspects of art, derived from such artistic experiences, grow increasingly precious.

He noted that creation is not merely the production of differences or novelty for its own sake. Creation is the creation of a new life and a new humanity, rooted in the earth and connected to the people. Therefore, he continuously reminds students—do not just be "artists of the art world", but strive to be "artists of the world". To be artists of the world, art is not just a "study of cultivation" in an intangible sense, but a "study of action" that opens up new endeavors.

Together with former President Xu Jiang, President Gao led all graduates to extend their right arms, cross them over their chests, hold up the golden tassels, and shout, "CAA" and "Fight for Art", while tossing the tassels over their shoulders, symbolizing that they were cared for and allowed to grow freely during their school time, and now must take up the plow as their duty after graduation. After graduation, they have taken on this responsibility, to live, to fight, and to realize themselves.

Chairman Jin Yibin and President of CAA Alumni Association & Director of Academic Board Xu Jiang grant alumni liaison certificates

Vice Chairman Fu Qiaoling presides over the graduation ceremony

Graduate representatives present flowers to representatives of the CAA faculty

Vice President Cao Xiaoyang recites the Decision of CAA on Awarding 2024 Graduates Diplomas and Degrees

President Gao Shiming issues doctoral, master's, and bachelor's diplomas

President Gao Shiming issues bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees

Director of the Academic Board Xu Jiang and President Gao Shiming present the 2024 CAA Graduation Work & Lin Fengmian Creation Gold Awards

Chairman Jin Yibin and President Gao Shiming present the 2024 CAA Graduation Work (Design) Guidance Award

At the end of the ceremony, everyone stood up to sing the school song. Then, a virtual band performed "Multidimensional Lost Modality" for the ceremony's finale.

It was the "Graduation Night" of CAA, where all graduates gathered again at the place where dreams first set sail. With a grand graduation ceremony, they were crowned with their caps and gowns. From now on, they are on the journey of being the "artists of the world", using the wisdom, virtues, and courage bestowed upon them by their Alma Mater, as they chase their dreams and write new chapters in their lives.

The land is beautiful, and bright achievements are in our generation; the landscape is like a painting, and a splendid future awaits you to paint.