The Academy traces back it's roots to the creation of Architecture department at the University of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1793. The Department of Painting and Drawing was established in 1797, followed by the Department of Graphics (Engraving), and in 1805 – the Departments of Sculpture and History of art . In 1832, the University was temporary closed, and repoened in 1919 with departments of Painting, Sculpture and Graphic art. In 1940, the art studies in Lithuania were united under Vilnius art institute and Kaunas art schools.