Brief History of VAA
1793 in High School of Grand Duchy of Lithuania (1579-1781 known as the Vilnius Academy) was established the Department of Architecture, which was led by the professor Laurynas Gucevičius.
1797 established Department of Painting and Drawing. It was lead by professor Pranciškus Smuglevičius for a long time, and later his work was continued by professor Jonas Rustemas.
In 1803 High School was reconstructed to Vilnius University, established Faculty of Literature and Liberal Arts. Art History appeared as a taught subject. Next to former departments, the Department of Sculpture was opened the same year.
In 1832 the activity of departments was ceased as the Russian tsarist government closed Vilnius University. Fine Arts were educated at Kanutas Ruseckas’s and other studios, Ivan Trutnev’s drawing school. Lithuanian artists sought for higher education in Russia and Western Europe
In 1919 the University in Vilnius was re-opened with the name of Steponas Batoras. It had the Department of Arts with specializations of painting, sculpture, graphic.
During cultural life of independent Lithuania the important role played Kaunas School of Art (founded in 1922), where eventually studies of painting (1923), graphics, sculptures (both 1926), decorative painting (1929), ceramics (1931), and industrial art (1938) were established.
In 1940 the Government of Independent Republic of Lithuanian decided to reorganize Kaunas School of Art and Vilnius University of Steponas Batoras into Kaunas School of Applied Art and Vilnius School of Arts.
According to Soviet government decree in 1941, Kaunas School of Applied Art became The Institute of Kaunas Applied and Decorative Arts, while Vilnius School of Arts - Vilnius Academy of Arts (since 1944, the Vilnius State Institute of Art).
In 1943 during the period of Nazi occupation, both of these schools were closed, and recovered in 1944.
1951 on the basis of the then-Union Ministry of Higher Education order, the two institutions were merged into one - the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic State Institute of Art; the programs and plans shifted to Union’s approved ones. Institute had these departments: Painting (with canvas painting, fresco and mosaic, stained-glass, theatrical scenery studies), Graphics, Sculpture, Architectural Composition and Design, Ceramics and Fine Textile (the latter two were transferred from Kaunas).
1959 In Kaunas opened the evening sector, which in 1983 was transformed to the Faculty of Industrial Arts.
In 1973 two separate Faculties of Fine Arts and Applied Art established in Vilnius.
1990 The school regains the name of Vilnius Academy of Arts.
In 1991 established Kaunas Institute of Art.
In 1992 established the “Academy” gallery.
Since 1995 studies shifted to a three-stage system. The first (Undergraduate) - Bachelors, second (Graduate) - Masters and third (Postgraduate) – Research Degree.
VAA has started to dispose the study La Cite Internationale des Arts in Paris, where the VAA students and teachers can reside for a two-month period.
In 2000 established The UNESCO Cultural Management and Cultural Policy Chair. The Department of Engeneering Subjects was eliminated. The reconstruction of block no. 5 was resumed. Builds up the gallery "Židinys" upon colection of Antanas and Anastazija Tamošaičiai.
2002 distinguishes by established studies of Postgraduate Research level for artists. The Department of Interior Design established.
In 2003 Kaunas Institute of Art becomes Kaunas Faculty of Arts as a subdivision of Vilnius Academy of Arts. Telšiai Section of Art becomes telšiai Faculty of Art as a subdivision of Vilnius Academy of Arts. The Government of Respublic of Lithuania confirms the edit of statute of Vilnius Academy of Arts.
2004 is significant for final confirmation of the structure of Vilnius Academy of Arts with the faculties of Visual and Applied Art, Architecture and Design, Humanieties and Social Sciences in Vilnius, faculties in Kaunas and Telšiai. The Ministry of Education and Science with the Rector and Senate of VAA confirms the Council of Vilnius Academy of Arts. Professor Adomas Butrimas is elected as a rector of VAA.
In 2005 the Department of Graphics celebrates it's 200 year aniversary. The Centre of Design and Inovations starts working. The position of Pro-rector for Academic Stategy is established. Professor Alfredas Širmulis leaves the position of The Dean of Visual and Applied Art while professor Algirdas Dovydėnas takes this place. First five students defends the thesis for a Postgraduate Research degree.
During 2006 telšiai Faculty of Arts celebrates a 75-year aniversary. For the first time the society was introduced approapriatly with the works of BA graduates. The representatives of Business and Mass Media were introduced with the works of MA graduates. The later participates in an international program of MA studies "The Contemporary Art Practice and Spread". The Public relations section started creation of a new website for Vilnius Academy of Arts.
In 2007 Kaunas Faculty of Arts commemorates the 85th aniversary of establishment of Kaunas School of Arts. Professor Alfonsas Andriuškevičius receives a National Award.
1793 in High School of Grand Duchy of Lithuania (1579-1781 known as the Vilnius Academy) was established the Department of Architecture, which was led by the professor Laurynas Gucevičius.
1797 established Department of Painting and Drawing. It was lead by professor Pranciškus Smuglevičius for a long time, and later his work was continued by professor Jonas Rustemas.
In 1803 High School was reconstructed to Vilnius University, established Faculty of Literature and Liberal Arts. Art History appeared as a taught subject. Next to former departments, the Department of Sculpture was opened the same year.
In 1832 the activity of departments was ceased as the Russian tsarist government closed Vilnius University. Fine Arts were educated at Kanutas Ruseckas’s and other studios, Ivan Trutnev’s drawing school. Lithuanian artists sought for higher education in Russia and Western Europe
In 1919 the University in Vilnius was re-opened with the name of Steponas Batoras. It had the Department of Arts with specializations of painting, sculpture, graphic.
During cultural life of independent Lithuania the important role played Kaunas School of Art (founded in 1922), where eventually studies of painting (1923), graphics, sculptures (both 1926), decorative painting (1929), ceramics (1931), and industrial art (1938) were established.
In 1940 the Government of Independent Republic of Lithuanian decided to reorganize Kaunas School of Art and Vilnius University of Steponas Batoras into Kaunas School of Applied Art and Vilnius School of Arts.
According to Soviet government decree in 1941, Kaunas School of Applied Art became The Institute of Kaunas Applied and Decorative Arts, while Vilnius School of Arts - Vilnius Academy of Arts (since 1944, the Vilnius State Institute of Art).
In 1943 during the period of Nazi occupation, both of these schools were closed, and recovered in 1944.
1951 on the basis of the then-Union Ministry of Higher Education order, the two institutions were merged into one - the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic State Institute of Art; the programs and plans shifted to Union’s approved ones. Institute had these departments: Painting (with canvas painting, fresco and mosaic, stained-glass, theatrical scenery studies), Graphics, Sculpture, Architectural Composition and Design, Ceramics and Fine Textile (the latter two were transferred from Kaunas).
1959 In Kaunas opened the evening sector, which in 1983 was transformed to the Faculty of Industrial Arts.
In 1973 two separate Faculties of Fine Arts and Applied Art established in Vilnius.
1990 The school regains the name of Vilnius Academy of Arts.
In 1991 established Kaunas Institute of Art.
In 1992 established the “Academy” gallery.
Since 1995 studies shifted to a three-stage system. The first (Undergraduate) - Bachelors, second (Graduate) - Masters and third (Postgraduate) – Research Degree.
VAA has started to dispose the study La Cite Internationale des Arts in Paris, where the VAA students and teachers can reside for a two-month period.
In 2000 established The UNESCO Cultural Management and Cultural Policy Chair. The Department of Engeneering Subjects was eliminated. The reconstruction of block no. 5 was resumed. Builds up the gallery "Židinys" upon colection of Antanas and Anastazija Tamošaičiai.
2002 distinguishes by established studies of Postgraduate Research level for artists. The Department of Interior Design established.
In 2003 Kaunas Institute of Art becomes Kaunas Faculty of Arts as a subdivision of Vilnius Academy of Arts. Telšiai Section of Art becomes telšiai Faculty of Art as a subdivision of Vilnius Academy of Arts. The Government of Respublic of Lithuania confirms the edit of statute of Vilnius Academy of Arts.
2004 is significant for final confirmation of the structure of Vilnius Academy of Arts with the faculties of Visual and Applied Art, Architecture and Design, Humanieties and Social Sciences in Vilnius, faculties in Kaunas and Telšiai. The Ministry of Education and Science with the Rector and Senate of VAA confirms the Council of Vilnius Academy of Arts. Professor Adomas Butrimas is elected as a rector of VAA.
In 2005 the Department of Graphics celebrates it's 200 year aniversary. The Centre of Design and Inovations starts working. The position of Pro-rector for Academic Stategy is established. Professor Alfredas Širmulis leaves the position of The Dean of Visual and Applied Art while professor Algirdas Dovydėnas takes this place. First five students defends the thesis for a Postgraduate Research degree.
During 2006 telšiai Faculty of Arts celebrates a 75-year aniversary. For the first time the society was introduced approapriatly with the works of BA graduates. The representatives of Business and Mass Media were introduced with the works of MA graduates. The later participates in an international program of MA studies "The Contemporary Art Practice and Spread". The Public relations section started creation of a new website for Vilnius Academy of Arts.
In 2007 Kaunas Faculty of Arts commemorates the 85th aniversary of establishment of Kaunas School of Arts. Professor Alfonsas Andriuškevičius receives a National Award.