Date of foundation: 1923

Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts took its basis from the Baku Theater School, established in 1923 by the decision of the Azerbaijan Commissariat of Education. At that time, the Baku Theater School named after M.F.Akhundov was training actors and directors not only for Azerbaijan, but also for Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Dagestan, Crimea and other regions.

In 1945, the Theater Institute was established on the basis of the Theater School, and since 1968 this higher education institution began to be called the Azerbaijan State Institute of Arts.

In 1991, the Institute of Arts gained the status of a University.

Currently, this higher education institution, which operates as the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts, has 5 faculties, 21 departments, and specialists are trained in 21 specialties at the bachelor's level and 20 at the master's level.

There is a "Tadrisfilm" Film Studio under the University.