Many pivotal figures in modern Chinese art, such as Qi Baishi and Xu Beihong, taught at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, which houses significant works in a collection of critical artistic assets that have been gathered for a century and was primarily used for teaching and academic research for many years.

In recent years, CAFA has been rotating these works in shows at the CAFA Art Museum for public viewing, including two recently opened exhibitions — the school's collection of Chinese artifacts and a display of modern art.

The shows are mounted as part of the recently unveiled CAFAM Academic Series, which includes exhibitions and forums.

The forums gather scholars and museum administrators from home and abroad where participants share views on how art museums could better facilitate artistic creativity and innovations in social-cultural development by sharing collections, holding more regular exhibitions, and further integrating technology like AI.