Academic institution in Colombo, Sri Lanka, established in 1978 and formerly known as the Institute of Aesthetic Studies. It traces its origins to a course in drawing and painting initiated in 1896 at the Maradana College of Technology, Colombo. Today, it offers bachelors and masters courses in various artistic practices, with a focus on critical theory and art historical processes. A number of artists associated with Sri Lanka’s avant-garde 90s Trend studied and later taught here.