සෞන්දර්යය කලා විශ්වවිද්යාලය
கட்புல, அரங்கேற்றக் கலைகள் பல்கலைக்கழகம் |
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Former name
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Institute of Aesthetic Studies of the University of Ceylon College of Fine Arts Heywood Institute of Art (Heywood College) |
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Type | Public |
Established | 1893- School of Art 2nd July 1952-Government College of Fine Arts 1974 – Institute of Aesthetic Studies of the University of Ceylon 1st July 2005-(Gained University Status) University of the Visual and Performing Arts |
Academic affiliation
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University Grants Commission of Sri Lanka, Association of Commonwealth Universities |
Chancellor | Prof. Sanath Nandasiri |
Vice-Chancellor | Prof. Ariyarathne Kaluarachchi |
Students | 9,000 |
Undergraduates | 8,500 |
Postgraduates | 70 |
50 | |
Location | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
Campus | Urban |
Language | Sinhala, Tamil and English |
Colours | Maroon, Orange |
Nickname | Heywood |
Sporting affiliations
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Sri Lanka University Games |
Website | https://www.vpa.ac.lk/ |
University of the Visual and Performing Arts (UVPA) (Sinhalese: සෞන්දර්ය හා කලා විශ්වවිද්යාලය,Tamil: கட்புல, அரங்கேற்றக் கலைகள் பல்கலைக்கழகம்) is a public university located primarily in Colombo, Sri Lanka, specialising in art, design, fashion and the performing arts. It was formerly known as the Government College of Fine Arts, Heywood Institute of Art and the Institute of Aesthetic Studies of the University of Ceylon. It has no known date of foundation, but there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1893. It is the only university in Sri Lanka to exclusively offer special degree programs in visual and performing arts.
The origin of the University of the Visual and Performing Arts can be traced back to 1893, the era in which the Ceylon Technical College was established. Drawing and Design were among the first courses to be taught there. Approximately five decades later, on the 1 October 1949, the Department of Arts and Aesthetics shifted its locality from Horton Place to Heywood College. The restructuring of the university system in Sri Lanka affiliated the institute to the University of Kelaniya in 1980. A Special Gazette Notice formally announced the creation of the University of the Visual and Performing Arts on 1 July 2005. Sarath Amunugama was assigned as First Vice Chancellor.
The University of the Visual and Performing Art has a history spanning over 120 years. The origin of the University of the Visual and Performing Arts can be traced back to 1893, the era in which the Ceylon Technical College was established. Among the first courses to be taught at the college were Drawing and Painting. On 1 October 1949, the Department of Drawing and Painting moved from the Technical College at Maradana to the ‘Heywood’ building at Horton place and was subsequently renamed as the ‘School of Art’. A diploma in Fine Arts was awarded to students upon the completion of five years of study. Prominent painter and teacher J.D.A. Perera was the first Principal of this institution.