Kaunas Art School at its beginning in 1922. Sitting in the center – Justinas Vienožinskis. 1940 On May 15, the parliamentary body of Lithuania, Seimas, passes the Law on Schools of Fine Arts, according to which Kaunas Art School is divided into tow independent Lithuanian art schools in Kaunas and Vilnius. The Kaunas branch is reorganized into the Higher School of Applied Arts to comprise studios of decorative painting, sculpture, graphics, architecture, ceramics, and rug textiles. 1941 Just before W.W.II reaches Lithuania, the name of school is changed into Kaunas Institute of Applied and Decorative Arts. After the German occupation government closes all Lithuanian higher education institutions, Kaunas Institute continues to function secretly for a whole year. In the sculpture studio, 1949. Meeting of the first Academic Council of Kaunas Art Institute in 1922. Sitting in the center – Coucil Chairman Prof. Algirdas Gaižutis. In 2002 Kaunas Art Institute celebrated its 80th anniversary. On June 1, just before a graduation ceremony, a colorful parade of KAI students, instructors and guests marched throught the Kaunas downtown. Bearing on the traditions of Kaunas Art School, Kaunas Art Institute strives to become an integral part in the educational and cultural environment of the European Union, implements innovative educational programs and trains creatively-minded, labor market adaptive specialists.

1922 With support of the Lithuanian Society of Art Creators, painter Justinas Vienožinskis establishes Kaunas Art School. Such leading Lithuania’s artistic figures as Vladas Didžiokas, Adomas Galdikas, Petras Kalpokas and Kajetonas Sklėrius taught in the school at that time. 1939 Kaunas Art School is granted the status of a higher education institution. Kaunas Art School faculty in 1934: A. Galdikas, J. Šileika, J. Mikėnas, J. Mackevičius, P. Kalpokas, J. Janulis, A. Varnas, I. Šlapelis, J. Zikaras, A. Žmuidzinavičius. Viktoras Vizgirda as a model, 1935. 1951 Following a resolution of the Soviet authorities, the Vilnius and Kaunas art institutes are merged into the single Lithuanian State Institute of Fine Arts. Kaunas loses a major center of artistic schooling. 1959 Vilnius Art Institute opens Part-time Division of Applied Arts in Kaunas. 1959-1979Main directions in arts training are formed: textile, ceramics, architecture, interior design, glass design. 1979Full-time study programs are launched. 1983Kaunas Applied Arts Division is reorganized into Industrial Art Faculty. 1991 On March 20, the Senate of Vilnius Academy of Fine Arts, following traditions of art education in Lithuania, re-establishes Kaunas Art Institute as a branch of the Academy. 1992 On September 23, the Senate of Vilnius Academy of Fine Arts grants the status of a legal entity to Kaunas Art Institute. In the same year Kaunas Art Institute elects its Academic Council and rector. 2002 Following new regulations set in the Civil Code of Lithuania, Kaunas Art Institute is reorganized into a Kaunas-based faculty of Vilnius Academy of Fine Arts. KAI procession in the Town Hall Square of Kaunas.