For Jacky Zhang, a senior majoring in art history at a college in Hamilton, New York, running a gallery in New York City – dealing with young artists at the cutting edge of a global, trendsetting scene – would be nothing short of a dream job.

But the young man was quick to admit the chances of realising this goal are slim. With tightening visa policies in the United States and a tough job market for art graduates all over the world, he may have to take what he can get.

“I’ll return to China if I fail the visa lottery, but it wouldn’t be easy there either,” said Zhang, one of an increasing number of Chinese students pursuing art-related degrees at home and abroad.

But how they will make a living after graduation is a big question that has remained unanswered for many as the domestic landscape is – at the moment – too small to support an enlarged talent pool, industry observers said.