Department of Fine Arts of University of Jaffna is one of the pioneer academic entities in Sri Lanka that offers unique bachelor degree courses in Fine Arts (Art History), and Drama and Theater Arts , and provide research guidance in the PhD and Mpill levels. The department came to existence in 1980s with the revitalization in the local art scene and being an active site for artistic exchanges and critical studies of art in the country.

The art history program, while being responsive to the disciplinary changes occurred globally, has actively engaged with the study of local visual culture as well as traditional and contemporary art practices of the region. The present study program explores the cultural politics of visual art in the histories of Europe, American and Asian civilizations.