The College of Fine Arts was founded in 1888 by His Highness Visakham Thirunal Rama Varma, the then Maharaja of erstwhile state of Travancore the college was firt known as H. H. The Maharaja’s School of Arts, Travancore and was affiliated to University of Kerala in 1979-80.

Over the years a number of distinguished artists and art educators of the country have nurtured the college. Veteran artists and scholars like the late K. K. Hebbar, the late N. S. Bendre, Prof. Gulam Sheikh, Prof. Hanumante.

The college has three main departments - Painting, Sculpture and Applied Art and two sections namely Graphics and Art History, functioning under it. All the departments have sufficient studio facilities, which create working atmosphere for the students. The college has talented and professional art teachers who have established themselves in their respective fields.