1958年生于陕西长安。
1979年考入西安美术学院国画系。
1983年毕业，同年考上研究生,师从刘文西教授。
1986年毕业并留校任教，曾任西安美术学院国画系副主任、主任。
1993年被破格评为副教授。
1994年出任西安美术学院副院长。
1995年主持全院工作。
1997年任西安美术学院院长、教授。
2009年调任中国国家画院。
现任中国国家画院院长，中国美术家协会副主席，国家一级美术师，享受国务院特殊津贴专家。

1993年画家杨晓阳荣获陕西省“有突出贡献的专家”。
1997年画家杨晓阳任西安美术学院院长、教授，国家“三五”人才。
2003年画家杨晓阳被中央电视台“东方之子”播出专访；画家杨晓阳国画《沸腾的黄土地》获西德纽纶堡“第四届国际素描杰作三年展优胜奖。
2007年8月22日，画家杨晓阳荣获国家教育部授予的第三届高等学校教学名师奖。

国画《黄巢进长安》被中国革命军事博物馆收藏并长期陈列在古代战争馆；巨幅壁画《丝绸之路》陈列在北京八达岭“中国长城博物馆”，为目前国内最大的全周画；国画《黄河的歌》获秦俑杯国际书画邀请展“金杯”；《终南竞秀》陈列中南海。《高风图》、《愚公家族》、《黄河艄公》、《波斯迎亲》等曾引起社会广大关注和反响,作品造型严谨，构图宏大，色彩瑰丽，笔墨功夫扎实深厚，用写实手法表现浪漫题材，注重不同人物性格的刻画，体现出广泛的文史修养和独特的美学感受。

2010年，以个人名义为青海省玉树（7.1级）地震灾区捐款10万人民币，做为赈灾款。
2010年，4月20日在中宣部、民政部、广电总局、中国红十字会总会联合主办、中央电视台承办《情系玉树·大爱无疆》抗震救灾大型募捐活动·特别节目，杨晓阳以个人名义为青海省玉树（7.1级）地震灾区捐款10万人民币，做为赈灾款。
2012年03月23日杨晓阳先生彩陶捐赠收藏。

Born in 1958 in Changan, Shaanxi province.
1979 admitted to the Chinese Painting Department of Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts.
Graduated in 1983, the same year admitted to graduate, Professor Liu Wenxi.
Who graduated in 1986 and stayed, served as deputy director and director of Chinese Painting Department of Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts.
1993 was an exception as associate professor.
1994 as vice president of Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts.
In 1995 presided over the hospital work.
1997 Dean of Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts, professor.
2009 was transferred to the National Academy of Chinese.
The current president of the National Academy of China, vice chairman of Chinese Artists Association, national artist, enjoy the special allowance of the state council.
1993 painter Yang Xiaoyang won the "outstanding experts in Shaanxi province"".
1997 painter Yang Xiaoyang, Dean of Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts, Professor, national "35" talent.
In 2003 by CCTV "dongfangzhizi" painter Yang Xiaoyang broadcast interview; painter Yang Xiaoyang painting "boiling yellow earth" won the new West Wong fort "the Fourth International Biennial award winning three sketch masterpiece.
August 22, 2007, painter Yang Xiaoyang won the national Ministry of Education awarded the third higher education teacher award.
Chinese painting "into the Changan military museum is Huang Chao" Chinese revolution collection and display of long-term in Ancient War Museum; huge mural of "Silk Road" on display at the Beijing Badaling "Chinese the Great Wall Museum", is currently the largest whole week painting; Chinese painting "the Yellow River song" won the terracotta Cup International Art Invitational Exhibition "golden cup"; "the show" Zhongnanhai exhibition. "High", "the Fengtu family", "the Yellow River", "Persian" boatman wedding have aroused broad attention and response, work rigorous modeling, composition of grand, magnificent colors, pen and ink work solid, romantic themes in a realistic manner, pay attention to the different characterizations of character personality, reflecting the extensive cultivation of literature and history and the unique aesthetic feeling.
In 2010, in the name of Qinghai province Yushu (level 7.1) earthquake donation 100 thousand yuan for relief funds.
In April 20th 2010, the Central Propaganda Department, the Ministry of civil affairs and the State Administration of radio, Chinese Red Cross society jointly organized by CCTV hosted the "love Yushu - great love" of large earthquake relief fund-raising activities, special programs, Yang Xiaoyang in his own name for the Qinghai Province, Yushu (7.1) earthquake donation 100 thousand yuan for relief funds.
03 2012 23 Mr. Yang Xiaoyang donated collection of pottery.