University of the Visual and Performing Arts
The University of the Visual and Performing Arts (UVPA) is Sri Lanka's only public university exclusively dedicated to visual and performing arts education, serving approximately 2,350 undergraduates across four faculties in Colombo under the University Grants Commission.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersColombo, Sri Lanka
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What University of the Visual and Performing Arts does
The University of the Visual and Performing Arts (UVPA/VAPA) is a public university in Sri Lanka, established on 8 July 2008 under the University Act No. 18 of 1985, with institutional roots tracing to the Ceylon Technical College founded in 1893. It is the only university in Sri Lanka exclusively dedicated to visual and performing arts education and is governed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Sri Lanka. The institution serves approximately 2,350 undergraduates and 370 staff across four faculties: Visual Arts, Music, Dance and Drama, and Graduate Studies, with programs spanning traditional Sri Lankan cultural disciplines (Kandyan Dance, North and South Indian Music) and contemporary artistic practices (multimedia, textile design, visual communication). It operates from two main campuses in Colombo — Albert Crescent and Horton Premises — and integrates specialized facilities such as workshops for footwear, ceramics, and textile design.
The university operates a portfolio of in-house digital platforms that support its academic mission, including a Learning Management System (LMS), Examination Management System (EMS), Smart Library, VAPA Television channel, VAPA E-Book Store, and the VAPA University Press. Its Information Technology Centre (ITC), established in 2010, manages the data center, network, servers, cloud services, and cybersecurity, integrating commercial tools such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Eduroam for virtual learning. The Centre for Open & Distance Learning (CODL) extends the institution's reach beyond the traditional student base by offering diploma and certificate programs to lifelong learners. Supporting units include the Centre for Quality Assurance (CQA), Centre for International Relations (CIR), Centre for Gender Equity and Equality (CGEE), Centre for Research, Creative Works, and Knowledge Dissemination (CRCKD), and the C. de S. Kulathilake Archival & Research Unit.
As a public university, UVPA's revenue model is primarily government-funded through the UGC and supplemented by the World Bank-funded Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development (AHEAD) Programme administered via the Ministry of Higher Education. Tuition fees are not publicly disclosed. Students are admitted through annual aptitude tests (Aptitude Test 2025/2026) and the national university admission system. The university maintains industry partnerships with batik manufacturers, the Industrial Development Board, and academic collaborations with institutions such as Poornima University in India, supporting applied learning, exhibitions, and student placements in the creative industries.
University of the Visual and Performing Arts firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- University of the Visual and Performing Arts
- Legal name
- University of the Visual and Performing Arts
- Website
- https://vpa.ac.lk
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- The University of the Visual and Performing Arts (UVPA) is Sri Lanka's only public university exclusively dedicated to visual and performing arts education, serving approximately 2,350 undergraduates across four faculties in Colombo under the University Grants Commission.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
University of the Visual and Performing Arts industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education - Arts and Design
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Fine Arts Schools (611610)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Performing Arts Colleges (Theatre, Dance, Musical Theatre) (EDAHAJAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Animation, Game Art & Digital Arts Colleges (EDAHAJAI)
Keywords
Where University of the Visual and Performing Arts is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Colombo
- HQ country
- Sri Lanka
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices3 records
Markets served
University of the Visual and Performing Arts business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Tuition and Academic Programs: Revenue from undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate programs across four faculties of visual arts, music, dance and drama, and graduate studies
- AHEAD Programme Funding: World Bank-funded initiative through Ministry of Higher Education focusing on student enrollment expansion, quality improvement, and research development
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Online Book Store - VAPA E-Book Store |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
University of the Visual and Performing Arts product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The University of the Visual and Performing Arts (UVPA) is Sri Lanka's only public university exclusively dedicated to visual and performing arts education. It delivers undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate programs across four faculties — Visual Arts, Music, Dance and Drama, and Graduate Studies — covering disciplines such as painting, sculpture, ceramics, multimedia, textile design, North/South Indian and Western music, Kandyan dance, and drama. The university also operates supporting digital platforms including a Learning Management System (LMS), Examination Management System (EMS), Smart Library, VAPA University Press, VAPA TV Channel, and VAPA E-Book Store.
Product overview
The University of the Visual and Performing Arts (UVPA) operates as a comprehensive higher education institution offering a portfolio of academic platforms and services. The core offerings include the Learning Management System (LMS) for online course delivery, the VAPA EMS for examination management, the Smart Library for digital research resources, VAPA University Press for publications, VAPA Television for educational programming, and the Centre for Open & Distance Learning (CODL) for flexible external programs. The university organizes its academic offerings through four faculties: Faculty of Visual Arts (covering departments such as Painting, Ceramics, Sculpture, Printmaking, Multimedia Arts, Textile & Wearable Arts, Visual Communication Design, and Multi Disciplinary Design), Faculty of Music, Faculty of Dance and Drama, and Faculty of Graduate Studies. These digital platforms support the university's mission to deliver specialized education in visual and performing arts disciplines.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- VAPA University Press: University publishing arm for books and academic materials
- VAPA TV Channel
- VAPA EMS
- VAPA E-Book Store
- Centre for Quality Assurance (CQA)
- Centre for Open & Distance Learning (CODL)
- University Medical Center (UMC)
- Centre for International Relations (CIR)
Products and services
- Faculty of Visual Arts Programs Comprehensive visual arts education covering painting, sculpture, design, multimedia, ceramics, textile design, printmaking, and art history with degree programs from undergraduate to postgraduate levels.
- Faculty of Music Programs Music education spanning North Indian, South Indian, Western music, ethnomusicology, musicology, and applied music disciplines for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
- Faculty of Dance and Drama Programs Performing arts education integrating theoretical knowledge with practical training in traditional Sri Lankan and international performance forms, including Kandyan dance, ballet, and drama.
- Faculty of Graduate Studies Programs Postgraduate research and academic excellence programs in humanities, pedagogic arts, and visual and performing arts including MA, MPhil, and PhD pathways.
- Centre for Open & Distance Learning (CODL) Programs Flexible learning platform offering diploma and certificate programs for external and lifelong learners in visual and performing arts disciplines using innovative methods and modern technology.
- Learning Management System (LMS) Online platform managed by the Information Technology Centre for delivering courses, managing assignments, and facilitating student learning in visual and performing arts disciplines.
- VAPA Examination Management System (EMS) System for managing examination processes, results, and academic records of students across all faculties.
- Smart Library Digital library system providing access to academic resources, archival materials, and research collections including the largest collection of visual art materials in Sri Lanka.
- VAPA University Press Publishing arm of the university producing books, journals, and academic publications including the JRM Journal of FOM, Shanara, and Journal of VPA Sri Lanka.
- VAPA Television Channel University television channel broadcasting educational content and creative arts programming for students and the public.
- VAPA E-Book Store Online store for purchasing digital educational books, academic publications, and creative arts resources published by the university.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 80 research dissertations completed by History & Art Theory students in nearly a decade
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use University of the Visual and Performing Arts
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
University of the Visual and Performing Arts technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature3 records
University of the Visual and Performing Arts partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Industrial Development Board (IDB)coreIDB supported UVPA's participation in the 16th Sri Lanka Footwear and Leather Fair 2026 by providing free exhibition stall space, manufacturing assistance through materials and technical guidance, and networking opportunities with leading footwear brands and manufacturers.
- Batik Industry PartnersminorIndustry partners including Charini, House of Indi, Buddhi Bathik, Lovi Ceylon, Lilly Store, Isle of Batik, and others collaborated with UVPA for the FABULOUS SHADES 2026 Batik Wear Exhibition, providing professional guidance and market exposure for students.
- Poornima University, IndiaminorInternational research collaboration for academic conferences and joint research initiatives in creative arts and design fields.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
University of the Visual and Performing Arts competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Rhode Island School of Design (RISD): US private nonprofit college of art and design offering programs in fine arts, architecture, design, and art education. Comparable as a specialist arts institution with museum-grade facilities and a heritage dating to 1877.
- National Institute of Design (NID): India's premier public design and visual arts institution, established by the Government of India with strong industry integration. Comparable to UVPA as a publicly funded specialist arts/design school focused on crafts, design, and applied arts within the South Asian context.
- University of the Arts London (UAL): Federated UK university comprising six specialist arts colleges (Camberwell, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion, Wimbledon). A global benchmark for a multi-faculty arts university covering visual arts, design, media, and performing arts.
- School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC): US private college of art and design tied to the Art Institute of Chicago museum. Comparable to UVPA in offering rigorous studio-based programs across fine arts, design, and art history with deep archival and cultural resources.
- Royal College of Art: UK-based specialist postgraduate university for art and design, covering architecture, design, fine art, humanities, and material sciences. Comparable in mission as a dedicated arts university with strong industry connections and research output.
- Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts: Government-funded performing arts academy in Hong Kong covering music, dance, drama, film, and Chinese opera. Mirrors UVPA's performing arts mandate and government backing model in an Asian higher education context.
- LASALLE College of the Arts: Singapore-based specialist arts college offering degree programs in fine arts, design, media arts, and performing arts. Closely comparable in mission and scale to UVPA, serving as a regional benchmark for a publicly supported specialist arts institution in Asia.
- California Institute of the Arts (CalArts): US private art school offering programs in art, design, film, music, dance, and theatre across six schools. Comparable in structure to UVPA's four-faculty model and in mission as a multidisciplinary arts institution.
- Pratt Institute: US private university specializing in art, design, and architecture with programs spanning fine arts, industrial design, fashion, and liberal arts. Comparable as a dedicated multi-disciplinary arts school with strong industry and professional pipelines.
- Tisch School of the Arts (NYU): NYU's school for performing arts, media, and emerging media, with departments spanning drama, dance, music, film, and design. Comparable in mission and disciplinary breadth to UVPA's performing arts and visual arts faculties.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
University of the Visual and Performing Arts social profiles
Digital presenceUniversity of the Visual and Performing Arts financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
University of the Visual and Performing Arts leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
University of the Visual and Performing Arts subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries18 records
University of the Visual and Performing Arts funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
University of the Visual and Performing Arts M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about University of the Visual and Performing Arts
What does University of the Visual and Performing Arts do?
The University of the Visual and Performing Arts (UVPA) is Sri Lanka's only public university exclusively dedicated to visual and performing arts education. It delivers undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate programs across four faculties — Visual Arts, Music, Dance and Drama, and Graduate Studies — covering disciplines such as painting, sculpture, ceramics, multimedia, textile design, North/South Indian and Western music, Kandyan dance, and drama. The university also operates supporting digital platforms including a Learning Management System (LMS), Examination Management System (EMS), Smart Library, VAPA University Press, VAPA TV Channel, and VAPA E-Book Store.
Is University of the Visual and Performing Arts a public or private company?
University of the Visual and Performing Arts is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was University of the Visual and Performing Arts founded?
University of the Visual and Performing Arts was founded in 2008. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is University of the Visual and Performing Arts based?
University of the Visual and Performing Arts is headquartered in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in the Asia region.
How does University of the Visual and Performing Arts make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Academic Programs are the primary driver. The others are AHEAD Programme Funding.
Who are University of the Visual and Performing Arts's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), National Institute of Design (NID), University of the Arts London (UAL), School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), Royal College of Art, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, LASALLE College of the Arts, California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), Pratt Institute and Tisch School of the Arts (NYU).
Does University of the Visual and Performing Arts have an API?
No public API is recorded for University of the Visual and Performing Arts.
What industry is University of the Visual and Performing Arts in?
University of the Visual and Performing Arts's product category is Higher Education - Arts and Design. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAJAD, Performing Arts Colleges (Theatre, Dance, Musical Theatre), with a secondary code of EDAHAJAI, Animation, Game Art & Digital Arts Colleges. Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.