Academy Of Visual Arts
Hong Kong Learn more about what's on at AVA and the artists shaping its programme.The Academy of Visual Arts (AVA) at Hong Kong Baptist University is the first university academy of its kind in Hong Kong dedicated to professional visual arts education. Established in 2007, AVA offers undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes that combine intensive studio practice with theory, positioning itself as a leading practice-based art and design academy in the city. Its main campus is in the Kai Tak district on the site of the former Royal Air Force Officers’ Mess, which has been converted into studios, workshops and exhibition spaces.scholars.
AVA’s teaching philosophy emphasises interdisciplinary intersections between art, design and media, treating creative disciplines as equally valid outlets for ideas. Students are encouraged to respond to contemporary social issues—local, regional and global—through practice-led research and experimentation, supported by an international faculty and well-equipped specialist workshops for glass, ceramics, sculpture, media arts, object and experience design.
Programmes, Research and Public Role
The flagship Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Visual Arts is a four-year programme that moves from breadth to depth, allowing students to gradually build a focus in either Craft & Design or Studio & Media Arts. Across these pathways, students develop technical competencies, aesthetic judgment and contextual understanding in areas ranging from drawing, painting and Chinese arts to media arts, graphic arts, glass, ceramics and object design.
AVA pursues a broad research agenda with particular strengths in public art, socially engaged practice, art and technology, and object-based studies in transnational contexts. Artist-in-residence programmes, graduation shows, public talks and exhibitions on the Kai Tak campus open the academy to wider audiences and contribute to Hong Kong’s contemporary art ecosystem.
Visiting Information
The Academy of Visual Arts’ Kai Tak campus is located in the former RAF Officers’ Mess near the old Kai Tak Airport site in Kowloon. While studio facilities are primarily for students, AVA regularly hosts public exhibitions, graduation shows and events; visitors should check the academy’s website and social channels for current programmes, opening hours and access details.
Academy Of Visual Arts FAQs
What is the Academy of Visual Arts at HKBU?
The Academy of Visual Arts is Hong Kong Baptist University’s specialist visual arts school and the first university academy of its kind in Hong Kong. It offers practice-led undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes that integrate studio work with critical and theoretical study.
What programmes does AVA offer?
Key programmes include the Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Visual Arts, alongside postgraduate and research degrees in visual arts. The BA programme offers two concentrations—Craft & Design and Studio & Media Arts—allowing students to focus on areas such as ceramics, glass, media arts, painting and object design.
How does AVA differ from other art schools in Hong Kong?
AVA defines itself as a practice-based, interdisciplinary academy that breaks down traditional boundaries between art, design and media. Its curriculum emphasises socially engaged art, public art and art-and-technology research, supported by extensive workshop facilities and an international teaching team.
Can the public visit the AVA University exhibitions?
The Academy of Visual Arts (AVA) at Hong Kong Baptist University organises graduation shows, thematic exhibitions and artist talks at its Kai Tak campus, many of which are open to the public. Details of current and upcoming events, including visiting hours and any registration requirements, are announced on the academy’s website and social media channels.
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