The College is descended from the original College of Architecture and Fine Arts founded in 1946, which in turn is descended from the original College of Architecture founded in 1930. In 1785, the Dominicans made the first attempt to invest art and painting with academic value and formal presence and not merely an accessory to missionary work. That year when Fr. Juan Amador was Rector-Chancellor of the University of Santo Tomas, the Academia de Bellas Artes was opened. The school, however, was not firmly established and its influence was not far-reaching for it was founded as an experiment of sort. Its training on painting functioned only for a short time because there were few enrollees to that course. The Academia later became one of the Estudios de Adorno that existed in the University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo de Manila, and Colegio de San Juan de Letran. Thus in 1935, the Dominicans of the University of Santo Tomas merely reestablished their fine art school with the primary goal of meeting the ever-present and increasing demand for good Catholic artists. It is to be an institution designed to conform to the latest and most advanced artistic theories and practices. More importantly, however, it must inculcate Christian ideals that Dominicans deemed necessary and indispensable for the efficient and ethical practice of the arts profession. From 1935 to 1939, students may choose from two areas specialization, Interior Design and Public School Arts. Interior Design was offered in order to meet the demands for professional interior designers due to construction and remodeling activities that were greater than ever. Public School Art on the other hand was, according to Director Victorio Edades, an answer to the immediate need of preparing future teachers of arts for private and public schools. The college is housed in the Beato Angelico Building, one of the newer buildings in the Manila campus housing 2 colleges. The College has produced numerous National Artists like Victorio Edades, J. Elizalde Navarro, and Ang Kiukok for Visual Arts. Ildefonso Santos Jr, Juan Nakpil, and Leandro Locsin for Architecture.
Administrators
Asst. Prof. Marie Christie Que, MS – Dean
Rev. Fr. Edgardo D. Alaurin, O.P., SThD – Regent
Ms. Adrienne Zacarias, MS – Secretary
Academic programs
Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Advertising Arts – The program is an overview and application of advertising principles introducing concepts of advertising, research, artistic, creative, and psychological aspects to advertising and sales promotional activities. It introduces the basic and advance principles of design and drawing, with emphasis on the communicative aspects of the arts. The concentration is the creative utilization of the various media available in the pursuit of truth and responsible advertising.
Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Industrial Design – This is a technical program that includes the whole spectrum of subjects information for creative design work and business strategies. The program indicates on the students that the fusion of art and technology are essential components in bringing creative ideas into reality.
Bachelor of Science in Interior Design – is designed to develop foundational skills to prepare the student for the job. The program focuses on studio and academic research in history, theory and methods as they relate to interdisciplinary approach to interior design.
Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Painting – The program both encourages and challenges students to comprehend past and present examples of painting and to incorporate that understanding into actual practice. Learners will display a detailed comprehension through composition, expression, and the use of a visual vocabulary, by learning anatomy, life drawing, life sketching, modeling, photography, freehand drawing, and creative design and the part they play in expressing sensibility and exuberance.
