The University was founded in 1944 as Yerevan State Institute of Theatrical Arts,[5] in 1953 it was united with State Academy of Fine Arts of Armenia and functioned as a part of Yerevan State Institute of Art and Theater till 1994. In 1994 Yerevan State of Art and Theater was divided into State Academy of Fine Arts and Yerevan State Institute of Theater,[6] Institute became independent institution and till nowadays works as Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinematography.[3]