In 1931, a group of painters and architects went to Europe to study western art and architecture.  When they returned to Iran in 1938, they established an architectural institution, the High School of Architecture (H.S.A.).  During the first year, twenty students enrolled into the school after passing an entrance examination.  The institution was located at the same place where Kamalolmolk School had been established.
 

In 1939, the organizers of the H.S.A. established an architectural school within the University of Tehran.  Although it was not possible to add an independent art school to the existing six schools at the university, the university agreed to supervise the new program. It was called the Fine Arts School (F.A.S.).
 

The F.A.S. was established with a budget of 100,000 Rials for the architecture and painting programs.  In 1940, during its first year, there were 64 students in the architectural program and 14 students in the painting program. 

The F.A.S. was initially located in an old mosque, home of the Marvi Religious School, in Tehran.  However, the size and location of the school soon became unsuitable.  Thus, in 1942, it was transferred to the basement of the School of Engineering on the University of Tehran campus.  At this time, the director of the school was Andre Godard, the French architect and archaeologist.
 

In 1945, the famous Iranian painter and artist, Kamalolmolk, organized an art school where painting, miniature “tazhib”, and carpet designing were taught. Meanwhile, Eventually,  the extension of the university programs became  necessary.  Finally, the Iranian Parliament gave approval to the university to expand its’ educational schools from six to nine.  One of these schools became the Faculty of Fine Arts.

The Faculty of Fine Arts was established in 1949.  It had two academic programs.  These were:

	Architecture
	Painting

The site for the faculty was chosen to be at the south-eastern corner of the main campus.  Before long, the original building complex, the architectural studios, and the administration building were extended.  A new library Auditorium, exhibition halls, classrooms, offices, and studios for sculpturing and painting were built. 
 

Gradually, other academic programs were added to the faculty’s curriculum.  Some of these included Sculpture in 1959,  the post-graduate program in Urban Planning, and Music and Theatre in 1965.  However, the post-graduate program in Urban Planning was withdrawn in 1969.  The graduate programs of Urban Design and Urban Planning later replaced it in 1971.
 

After the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran in 1979, the High Council of the Cultural Revolution made more changes in the higher educational programs.  This council restructured the educational programs in the universities of Iran.  Thus, the academic programs at the Faculty of Fine Arts were revised.  Under this new revision, the faculty’s objectives were enhanced.  Students were to be trained and educated to become dedicated professionals.  The faculty was to give quality education and training to students so they could fulfill the nation’s social and cultural needs. 

In order to achieve the faculty’s objectives, it had to undergo changes that would benefit the needs and preferences of our Islamic society.  During this period, new programs were added to the faculties’ curriculum.  These were Graphics, Industrial Design, Photography, and new programs in the performing arts.
 

The Faculty of Fine Arts has established Ph.D. programs in the Architecture and Urban Planning departments. Each program of study has various fields of concentration.  In each of these areas students carry out independent research that contributes to their professions.