The signing ceremony of the framework agreement. Li Bo, Board Chairman of Tianjin Innovative Finance Investment Company (1st L); Joseph W. Polisi, President of The Juilliard School (2nd L); Xu Changjun, from Tianjin Conservatory of Music (3rd L); Jin Runcheng, from Tianjin Municipal Education Commission (1st R)[Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

The Juilliard School ("Juilliard") in New York has signed a framework agreement with Tianjin to set up an educational institute in the Yujiapu financial district of Tianjin on June 27.

With a focus on classical music education and performance, the institute will mark Juilliard's first expansion beyond its New York campus. It was expected to be the school's only such institute in East Asia, and the only exam center in East Asia for Juilliard application interviews.

The framework agreement includes provisions for a feasibility study, overseen by Juilliard on behalf of all parties. It was launched on June 1, 2012 and explores the regulatory, operational, and financial aspects of establishing the institute, the result of which will come out in September.

President of Juilliard, Joseph W. Polisi, said at the signing ceremony, "We envision the institute will be an elite center for performing arts education serving all of East Asia, a destination for all performing artists worldwide.

The door of art should be open to the public, and we are now discussing with partners of Tianjin to forge an art palace for people to freely interact and share their thoughts on music, dance, film etc."

The exact programs to be offered at the institute will be determined by the result of the feasibility study. However, Juilliard is already planning to create non-accredited music programs at pre-college levels (ages 8-18), as well as specialized pre-professional training for conservatory graduates.

Founded in 1905 in New York, Juilliard has developed a record of educational achievements, refining the talents of the world's most influential artists including Van Cliburn, Renée Fleming and Yo-Yo Ma. Its alumni have collectively won more than 105 Grammy Awards, 63 Tony Awards and 47 Emmy Awards.

In addition to Juilliard, the parties involved in the agreement are Tianjin Innovative Finance Investment Company, Tianjin Municipal Education Commission, and Tianjin Conservatory of Music, which is a higher arts education institution in northern China.