At an official ceremony on February 26th at the American University in Cairo (AUC), the Liu Shiming Art Foundation announced its latest efforts to promote global arts dialogue and support young artists. School and foundation representatives emphasized their commitment to artistic excellence and cross-cultural understanding through speeches. The first Liu Shiming Scholar at AUC was revealed during the event, along with the announcement of the donation of the sculpture “Silk Road” by acclaimed Chinese artist Liu Shiming.
Dr. Ahmad S. Dallal, AUC’s President, expressed his appreciation to the Liu Shiming Art Foundation for its generous donations, including an endowed scholarship supporting students in visual arts, graphic design, or cultural studies, and a magnificent sculpture of “Silk Road” by acclaimed Chinese artist Liu Shiming, which will soon have a permanent home on AUC’s campus. He emphasized the importance of art and culture in promoting understanding and enlightenment and expressed his hope for a deeper relationship between the Liu Shiming Art Foundation and AUC, supporting young artists and scholars and advancing dialogue in arts and culture.
John Meloy, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HUSS) at AUC, highlighted the significance of the foundation’s donation of artwork and scholarship fund, stating that it will enliven the dialogue between art and individuals and communities. The Liu Shiming Art Foundation and HUSS at AUC provide opportunities for students to gain a deeper understanding of human experiences and prepare for lifelong learning in humanities and social sciences. Jilian Campana, the Associate Dean of HUSS, expressed her gratitude to the foundation for their support during the event and introduced Shahd El Helbawy, the first Liu Shiming Scholar at AUC. El Helbawy is an undergraduate student majoring in visual arts and minoring in interactive media design and design of interior spaces.
The advisory board member Andy Serwer spoke about the foundation’s commitment to promoting cross-cultural understanding and artistic excellence. He expressed his excitement for having El Helbawy as the recipient, and the partnership with AUC to provide more opportunities to support young artists and art students around the world.
Finally, Dean Noha El-Mekawy, Dean of the School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, appreciated the Liu Shiming Art Foundation for their partnership with AUC, emphasizing the importance of fostering global dialogue and philanthropy for the arts. She expressed excitement for the global cohort that will come out of this initiative.
Through the donation of “Silk Road”, along with the establishment of Liu Shiming Scholars Fund at AUC in July 2022, the Liu Shiming Art Foundation is supporting the university’s mission to foster artistic and cultural collaboration across continents. The foundation’s partnership with AUC is part of a more extensive network of programs established with universities across the world. Through its expanding programs, the Liu Shiming Art Foundation is dedicated to supporting young artists, students, art institutions, and cultural initiatives around the world, and it is committed to making a positive impact on the world through the power of art.