The Faculty of Arts (the Institute of Arts from 2002 until 2008) was established in 1991, two years after the re-establishment of Vytautas Magnus University. The faculty consists of three departments: Department of Art History and Criticism, Department of Theatre Studies, and Department of Contemporary Art. About 400 students are enrolled in all study programmes, and the faculty employs over 30 lecturers and researchers.

The Faculty of Arts aims to prepare artists, art historians and art critics who would able to use their knowledge and skills at national and international levels. The Faculty has an unique bachelor programme of art history and criticism which integrates knowledge of different fields of arts (architecture, visual arts, theatre, music, and cinema) and combines theoretical background with practical skills. Two bachelor programmes of art studies provide knowledge of art and technology and develop the ability to use new medias in creative practices.

Studies. The faculty offers 3 Bachelor level programmes (Art History and Criticism, New Media Art, Acting), 4 Master level programmes (Art History and Criticism, Theatre Studies and Stage Management, Cultural Heritage and Tourism, Creative Industries) and 1 doctoral study programme.

International Relations: The faculty has established international relations with many universities and institutes around the world. Lectures by renowned scholars, teachers, professors from Lithuania, Germany, Great Britain, Norway, the United States and other countries speak louder than words about the reputation of the faculty. Participants in the LLP/Erasmus programme spend a semester studying in universities at cities as diverse as Bergen, Helsinki, Karabuk, Krakow, Poznań, Rouen, Stokholm, Tallinn, Tartu, Warsaw, and others. Scientific researchers of the Faculty of Arts work in collaboration with higher education institutions of Grenoble, Gotland, Warsaw, Helsinki, Riga, Tartu, Minsk and Gardin.

Experience and Research: Lectures and workshops in the faculty are led by famous artists, art historians and art critics. Studies take place not only in lecture rooms, but also in art labs, libraries, museums, theatres and concert halls, all of which serve as the perfect surroundings for examination of art objects and creative practice. Students and professors of the faculty take part in numerous scientific and research projects funded by the EU. In the recent years, students have been using research to tackle issues of cultural politics, cultural needs of the community of Kaunas, art projects relevant to the city residents, academic youth, special needs groups, etc. 
The students exhibit their own works of art in a "Art Kitchen" gallery located in the Faculty of Arts. The Art Centre, established in 2008, promotes and supports creative initiative of the students, provides good conditions for interaction and collaboration with art professionals, encourages objectively critical approach towards arts. The centre also ties together the activities of VMU Art gallery “101”, folklore ensemble “Linaro”, girls’ chamber choire, a modern dance collective, academic theatre, folk song and dance ensemble “Žilvitis”. Theoretical knowledge acquired by the faculty students comes especially handy when testing and adapting it in practice, for instance, when developing interdisciplinary performative projects (dance, theatre, folklore) or visual art projects of art gallery “101”.