On the morning of 1 December 2022, Xu Li, former secretary of the Leading Party Group and vice chairman of China Artists Association, as well as a famous contemporary painter, visited the Open University of China (OUC).

Jing Degang, secretary of the Party Committee and president of the OUC, and Li Song, vice president of the OUC, joined the events around the visit, and held discussions with Xu Li on the construction of the School of Art and the related affairs of “Classes by Famous Art Masters”.

Xu Li pointed out that it is a great responsibility for the OUC, where the Seniors University of China is inaugurated, to offer education for people of all ages and that it is of far-reaching significance to establish the School of Art to offer aesthetic education to the masses. He believes that the preliminary preparation for the construction of the School of Art has been based on thorough investigation and solid work. He indicated that if a first-class art school is to be built, it will be necessary to set clear objectives and standards for talent cultivation, disciplinary majors, and teaching teams, and that the OUC should further specify the course contents and invite the most influential artists in China to participate in the construction of the School of Art and the promotion of aesthetic education.

On behalf of the university, Jing Degang expressed his gratitude to Xu Li. He said that Xu Li has agreed to serve as dean of the OUC School of the Art, which demonstrates the love of an art master for the nation and the motherland, and that his role will be of great significance in helping the OUC to develop aesthetic education. The OUC will gather the strength of the entire university to build the School of Art at a high starting point and a high level, to polish the brand of the OUC, and to undertake the historical mission of spreading Chinese aesthetic education with the support and help of Xu Li and other famous artists.

Li Song said that online education has not only facilitated the popularisation and improvement of aesthetic education but also set requirements for innovative ways and methods of opening up new horizons of aesthetic education. He stressed that aesthetic education is worthy of our dedication and hopes that Xu Li will give more in-depth and comprehensive guidance to the School of Art.

Jin Yan, vice dean of the School of Art, reported on the progress of the construction of the School of Art and the preliminary investigation. Professor Tang Yingshan reported on the planning scheme of the courses of calligraphy and Chinese painting. Liu Caimei, deputy director of the University for Older Adults, reported on the preparation for the building of the Seniors University of China.

Written by Yang Yao and Guo Meng;photos by Zhuge Huanyu, OUC