Hubei Institute of Fine Arts (HIFA; Simplified Chinese: 湖北美术学院; Traditional Chinese: 湖北美術學院; Pinyin: Hubei Meishu Xueyuan; colloquially 湖美, Pinyin: Humei) is an art college in the People's Republic of China (PRC). It is regarded as one of the best and most selective academies of fine arts in China. Its history dates back to 1920, making it the first private art school in modern China. As one of the three oldest art colleges, it is also one of the cradles of higher education of fine arts in modern China. It is located in Hubei Province's capital Wuhan, known as "the thoroughfare leading to nine provinces". The academy dates back to Wuchang Fine Arts School (Simplified Chinese: 武昌美术学校; Traditional Chinese: 武昌美術學校; Pinyin: Wuchang Meishu Xuexiao ), which was founded in 1920 by Jiang Lanpu, Tang Yijing and Xu Ziheng. In 1923, it was renamed Wuchang Specialised School of Fine Arts(Simplified Chinese: 武昌美术专门学校; Traditional Chinese: 武昌美術專門學校; Pinyin: Wuchang Meishu Zhuanmen Xuexiao ) and became one of the three oldest art academies in modern China.