The article presents an analysis of the activities of formal and informal art associations in the space of contemporary art in Russia and China. The two countries actively cooperate in the field of art, including at the institutional level, which actualizes the appeal to the work of existing creative unions. The object of attention in the framework of the study is the modern art associations of the two countries, and the subject is the relationship between the structure and activities of official and informal art associations of China and Russia. The aim is to analyze the features of the activity of art associations in the conditions of the modern art space of their countries. The analysis of the state and directions of development of both official structures and informal art groups is carried out. The former in both Russia and China, as a rule, are the continuers of the traditions of the former structures, but the original function of the guide of the political course of the leadership of the countries in them remained at different levels, mostly decreasing. The latter are communities of artists who unite by creative interests or around a common exhibition space for them, in particular galleries. Moreover, both forms successfully exist in both states, reflecting the trends of artistic life and at the same time influencing it.