Brief introduction to

the Royal University of Fine Arts

The Establishment of the Royal University of Fine Arts dated back to 1917. At the time, Khmer Arts School was established inside the Royal Place. Later, because the courtyard inside the Royal Palace was too small, King Sisowath tasked the French artist, George Grolier, as well as seven other Khmer artists to establish a new Fine Arts School situated at present-day Royal University of Fine Arts. In 1965, Fine Arts School was changed to Royal University of Fine Arts, in which it had five faculties: Faculty of Chirographical Arts, which was expanded from the national dance group; Faculty of Music, expanded from musical school and the Faculty of Plastic Arts, expanded from Khmer Arts School or Fine Arts School. At the same time, two new faculties were established: Faculty of Archaeology and the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanization.

The University operated until April 1975, when it closed as the country fell to the Khmer Rouge regime.

In October 1988, the Cambodian government issued the sub-decree to re-open the university as the University of Fine Arts. Then, the university was renamed the Royal University of Fine Arts in the sub-decree in October 1996.