2026.0914
NTNU Fine Arts Students Expand Cross-Cultural and Interdisciplinary Learning in New York
Associate Professor Chung Ying Hou and Assistant Professor Ko-Ching Chao of the Department of Fine Arts at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) led students to New York from September 1 to 14 for visits to art and design schools, cultural institutions, artists’ studios, and the NTNU alumni community. Supported by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education, the overseas learning program aimed to strengthen students’ English communication skills and international experience through real-world learning and academic exchange.
New York served as an extended classroom where students could experience contemporary art, design, cultural creativity, and public art firsthand. Through exchanges with artists, curators, faculty members, students, and alumni, they explored how art interacts with cities, society, and culture while considering new possibilities for their own artistic practice and research.
Exploring Art and Design Education and Practice
The group visited Teachers College, Columbia University, Parsons School of Design, and Pratt Institute to learn about different approaches to art and design education in the United States, including learning spaces, workshops, curricula, exhibitions, and industry collaboration.
At Teachers College, students observed how workshops are managed through clear guidelines and dedicated staff. The visit offered insight into how well-organized learning environments can support creative practice and professional development.
At Parsons, students explored Design and Technology and learned about connections among art, design, technology, and social issues. Through its workshops, students can work with different technologies and equipment, while partnerships with companies such as Google and Meta provide opportunities to connect classroom learning with industry. The visit encouraged NTNU students to consider how artistic practice can respond to technological development and contemporary social issues.
At Pratt Institute, students explored how art education and exhibition practice are integrated into campus spaces. Visits to its Manhattan and Brooklyn campuses showed how exhibition spaces can become part of students’ everyday learning and creative practice. The experience encouraged students to move beyond viewing artworks and consider how exhibitions are planned and presented.
Connecting with NTNU Alumni and Taiwan’s Art Community
The group also met with the NTNU Alumni Association in the eastern United States. On September 4, the alumni association held a press conference for the 2026 NTNU Masters Art Festival at the Culture Center of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York and met with the visiting NTNU faculty and students.
Through conversations with alumni and arts and education professionals in New York, students learned how Taiwanese art education extends beyond Taiwan and how art can serve as a medium for cultural exchange and community engagement.
The group also visited Brooklyn Artists Studio (BAS), an organization dedicated to artistic and cultural exchange between Taiwan and the United States. BAS founder Patrick Huang guided the students through northern Brooklyn to view murals created by Taiwanese street artists who participated in the 15th Bushwick Collective earlier this year. Through the tour and Huang’s personal experiences, students gained insight into New York’s immigrant cultures and diverse street art scene.
Students also met with NTNU Fine Arts alumna and artist Marlene Tseng Yu. Through their conversation with Yu and a visit to her creative space, students learned about the working environment of an artist abroad and drew inspiration from her lifelong commitment to artistic creation.
Using English in Real-World Art Settings
Another important part of the program was using English in authentic international settings. Students used English to ask questions, exchange ideas, and discuss professional topics with faculty, artists, peers, and other professionals. English became a practical tool for understanding art, building connections, and gaining information. Interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds also gave students opportunities to encounter different perspectives and strengthen their intercultural communication skills.
Fine Arts doctoral student Tzu-Ting Chou said the experience showed her that artistic development is closely connected to space, institutional structures, and interpersonal relationships. Visiting schools, exhibition spaces, and artists’ studios allowed her to better understand different approaches to art education and creative practice while opening new directions for her future artistic work and research.
Bringing International Experience Back to the Classroom
By combining language learning, cultural exchange, and professional training, the program gave students firsthand experience of New York’s diverse art scene. Their visits exposed them to contemporary art, design and technology, curatorial practice, public culture, and artists’ creative environments.
The overseas program extended classroom learning into an international setting, allowing students to develop their English communication skills, cultural understanding, and professional experience. NTNU’s Department of Fine Arts plans to continue promoting international learning opportunities that help students develop cross-cultural communication skills, broaden their perspectives on art, and connect their studies in Taiwan with the wider world.