The Imphal Art College was established in 1949, on 15th August as an Art school and was upgraded to the status of Art College in 1959, having Bachelor of Fine Art course. It was the only college of its kind in the North Eastern States of India and also the oldest college contemporary to Dhanamanjuri College (D.M.College). Later on various Government full fledged Art Colleges and Institutions were established in the North Eastern States of India, for instance, in Guwahati, Silchar, Agartala etc.