Yunnan Travel getting a touch with Yunnan Arts University

Yunnan Arts University (云南艺术学院), abbreviated as YAU, is a comprehensive art institution of higher education located in Kunming (昆明), Yunnan Province (云南省), in the southwestern region of China. Below is a detailed introduction to the university.

Historical Background

The origins of Yunnan Arts University can be traced back to the Cultural Life Department and Teachers College of the Southwest Associated University in 1938. In 1959, Yunnan Arts University was officially established. In 1963, the university was dissolved, and its programs were merged into Kunming Teachers College (昆明师范学院). In 1980, the university regained its independence as a self-governing institution of higher education in the arts.

The university adheres to the educational philosophy of “inheriting traditions, learning from folk culture, respecting diversity, and serving society.” It is committed to cultivating artistic talents with innovative spirit and practical abilities. The university has also made significant strides in international cooperation and exchange, enhancing its global influence through diverse international programs and activities.

International Cooperation and Exchange Programs

1. International Joint Training Programs

Yunnan Arts University has signed joint training agreements with several overseas universities, offering dual-degree programs at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels:

Undergraduate Dual Degree (3+1/3+1.5): Students study at Yunnan Arts University for three years and then spend one or one and a half years at a partner institution abroad. Upon completion, they receive dual bachelor’s degrees.

Combined Bachelor-Master Program (3+1/3+2): Students study at Yunnan Arts University for three years and then proceed to a one- or two-year master’s program at a partner institution abroad. Upon graduation, they receive both bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Master’s Dual Degree (1+1+1): Master’s students spend their second year at a partner institution abroad and return to Yunnan Arts University for their final year. Upon completion, they receive dual master’s degrees.

Partner institutions include Coventry University (英国考文垂大学), De Montfort University (英国德蒙福特大学), Northumbria University (英国诺森比亚大学), University for the Creative Arts (英国创意艺术大学), New York Film Academy (美国纽约电影学院), Raffles College of Music (新加坡莱弗斯音乐学院), and École Supérieure de Design des Hauts-de-France (法国巴黎高等视觉设计学院).

2. Short-term Study Abroad and Exchange Programs

The university regularly organizes short-term study abroad and academic exchange programs for students. For example:

In January 2025, students from the Environmental Design (Sino-Foreign Cooperative Education) program of the School of Design will visit Italy for a short-term study program.

In November 2024, the university will organize students to participate in the “People-to-People Bonds, Education in Action” China (Yunnan) South and Southeast Asia University Student Art Performance, where they will interact with over 100 international students from 13 countries.

3. International Academic Activities and Workshops

Yunnan Arts University regularly hosts international academic activities and workshops, inviting renowned international artists and scholars to participate:

In 2024, the university hosted the Spanish International Master Workshop and Exchange Exhibition.

In 2023, the university co-hosted an international master workshop with the Faculty of Fine Arts at Complutense University of Madrid (西班牙马德里康普顿斯大学美术学院).

4. International Student Recruitment and Training

Since 1996, Yunnan Arts University has been recruiting international students, offering long-term and short-term Chinese language and art training programs. The university has an International College responsible for the recruitment, teaching, and management of international students. For the 2024-2025 academic year, the university continues to offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs for international students.

5. International Cultural Exchange Activities

The university actively participates in international cultural exchange activities, promoting cultural exchange between China and other countries through art exploration and creation:

In September 2024, faculty members were invited to Bangladesh (孟加拉国) to participate in cultural performances, fostering mutual understanding between the two nations.

In November 2024, the university hosted the South and Southeast Asia Theatre Performance Exchange and International Academic Forum, focusing on theatre arts and the preservation of intangible cultural heritage.

University Reputation and International Influence

Yunnan Arts University has gradually established a strong reputation in the field of international art education. Leveraging opportunities such as the Belt and Road Initiative (一带一路) and the Double First-Class Initiative (双一流建设), the university actively promotes the internationalization of art education. It also participates in forums like the South and Southeast Asia Education Cooperation Forum, further enhancing its regional influence.

Application and Consultation

The application period for Yunnan Arts University’s international exchange programs is from September to October each year. Students can submit their applications through the university’s Office of International Cooperation and Exchange. For more information, please contact:

Email: international@ynart.edu.cn

Phone: 0871-65937345

Through its diverse international exchange programs, Yunnan Arts University provides students with broad international perspectives and learning opportunities, while also making significant contributions to promoting cultural exchange between China and other countries.

Impact on Yunnan’s Tourism Development

Yunnan Arts University’s extensive international exchanges and collaborations have not only enhanced its global reputation but also positively impacted Yunnan’s tourism development. This impact is reflected in the following areas:

1. Enhancing Yunnan’s Cultural Appeal in Tourism

Yunnan Arts University leverages its artistic resources to actively participate in international cultural exchange activities. Through art exhibitions and performances, the university promotes Yunnan’s rich ethnic culture on the global stage. For example, faculty and students have participated in international art exchange activities, including cultural performances at Bangladesh’s National Day reception and the “A Life Called Yunnan, the World’s Shangri-La” (有一种叫云南的生活·世界的香格里拉) cultural exchange series in the United States. These activities not only showcase Yunnan’s natural beauty and ethnic culture but also enhance the cultural appeal of Yunnan as a tourist destination.

2. Promoting the Integration of Tourism and Art

The university contributes to the international promotion of Yunnan’s tourism products through art design projects. For instance, the School of Design team enhanced the overall artistic design of the China-Laos Railway’s “Starlight Lancang-Mekong” (星光·澜湄号) train, incorporating cultural elements from Yunnan and Southeast Asia. This project not only improves the travel experience for tourists but also showcases Yunnan’s cultural charm through artistic design, injecting new vitality into Yunnan’s tourism industry.

3. Facilitating Regional Tourism Cooperation

Yunnan Arts University actively participates in art exchange activities in South and Southeast Asia, such as the South and Southeast Asia Theatre Performance Exchange and International Academic Forum, as well as the “People-to-People Bonds, Education in Action” China (Yunnan) South and Southeast Asia University Student Art Performance. These activities strengthen cultural ties between Yunnan and neighboring countries, promote regional tourism cooperation, and attract more international tourists to Yunnan.

4. Supporting Local Tourism Brand Development

The university collaborates with local tourism enterprises to promote the internationalization of tourism brands. For example, the School of Art Management has established strategic partnerships with attractions like Kunming World Expo Garden (昆明世博园) to jointly organize art and cultural exchange activities. This collaboration not only provides students with practical opportunities but also enhances the cultural significance and international reputation of these attractions through artistic activities.

5. Interaction Between International Students and Tourists

Yunnan Arts University attracts international students from various countries, who participate in art performances and cultural exchange activities, serving as “international ambassadors” for Yunnan tourism. For instance, Malaysian students showcased the university’s international student training achievements during the “People-to-People Bonds, Education in Action” event. Such international exchanges enrich Yunnan’s tourism experience and promote Yunnan’s tourism culture through the students’ connections with their home countries.

Conclusion

Through its international exchange and cooperation programs, Yunnan Arts University has enhanced Yunnan’s global reputation and cultural appeal, promoted the integration of tourism and art, facilitated regional tourism cooperation, and supported the internationalization of local tourism brands. These efforts have injected new vitality into Yunnan’s tourism industry and provided strong support for Yunnan’s goal of becoming a tourism hub facing South and Southeast Asia.