The University Iuav of Venice was founded as the Venice University Institute of Architecture and dates back to the foundation of the special course in architecture in 1923 at the Accademia di Belle Arti of Venice. In 1926 the Institute was established as “the Venice Higher Learning Institute of Architecture”, the second architecture school in Italy after that of Rome. Past Iuav directors have included: Giovanni Bordiga, Guido Cirilli, Giuseppe Samonà, Carlo Minelli, Carlo Scarpa, Carlo Aymonino, Valeriano Pastor, Paolo Ceccarelli. The University Iuav’s current chancellor is Carlo Magnani.

In 2001 the Iuav enlarged its educational programmes by adding a third faculty, that of Arts and Design, to the already existing faculties of Architecture and Urban and Regional Planning.

The faculty of arts and design began activities in November of 2001, and is an university academic programme, based on education and research, unique in Italy and on par with some of the most important international schools of art and design. The faculty offers programmes in industrial design, visual and multimedia design and communication, the visual arts, and theatre.

The faculty offers two 3-year undergraduate degree programmes, one in industrial design, and one in visual arts and theatre. It also offers four 2-year graduate degree programmes in product design, visual and multimedia design, visual arts, and in theatre