The Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Rzeszów is a vibrant and dynamically developing academic unit dedicated to artistic creativity, scholarly inquiry, and high‑quality education. Its mission is to cultivate the artistic identity of emerging creators while deepening the understanding of contemporary art and its cultural contexts.

The origins of the Faculty date back to 1995, when the Department of Art Education was established within the Teachers’ College in Rzeszów. Initially part of the Institute of Education under the Faculty of Education, the Department enabled pedagogy students to pursue specialisations in art education through a three‑year full‑time vocational programme. A decisive milestone came in 1997, when the Department was transformed into the Institute of Art Education in response to the region’s growing interest in art‑oriented studies and to research exposing significant gaps in art education in primary schools across the Rzeszów area. As a result, the Institute was granted the right to offer five‑year master’s programmes.

From October 1999, the Institute extended its educational offer to include part‑time studies and, in line with nationwide educational reforms, launched three‑semester postgraduate programmes in fine arts education for graduates holding a master’s degree in pedagogy. Continued development prompted further structural changes: the Institute evolved into the Institute of Fine Arts and, during the 1998/1999 academic year, relocated to Krasne near Rzeszów. In 2008, following a resolution of the University Senate, the Institute separated from the Faculty of Education and Arts, leading to the establishment of the Faculty of Arts, which in 2014 moved to its present location at Al. mjr Wacława Kopisto 2B, significantly improving its visibility and strengthening its connections with the local community.

Over the years, the Institute and later the Faculty have been led by distinguished academics, including Professor Stanisław Górecki, Professor Tadeusz Nuckowski, Professor Irena Popiołek‑Rodzińska, Professor Jadwiga Szmyd‑Sikora, Associate Professor Józef Jerzy Kierski and Associate Professor Antoni Nikiel.

On 1 October 2019, pursuant to the University Statute of 26 September 2019, the Institute of Fine Arts was incorporated into the College of Humanities, with Associate Professor Dorota Sankowska appointed as Director. Most recently, on 1 January 2025, in accordance with the University Statute and by decision of the Rector, the Faculty of Fine Arts was formally established, with Associate Professor Łukasz Cywicki assuming the position of Dean.

Teaching activity
The Faculty of Fine Arts offers full-time studies in the following fields:

Visual Arts - first-cycle studies (3 years)

Specialties:
Design Forms and Multimedia
Spatial Forms and Intermedia


Visual Arts - second-cycle studies (2 years)

Specialties:
Design Forms and Multimedia
Spatial Forms and Intermedia

Graphics - integrated master's degree programme (5 years)
Graduation workshops: digital printing, relief printing, intaglio printing, flat printing, design workshops and multimedia workshop

Painting - integrated master's degree programme (5 years)
Graduation workshops: easel painting, forms of plastic expression, monumental painting, interdisciplinary multimedia workshop, artistic transgression, experimental drawing.