Established in 1950 with the name as a Madras School of Arts by surgeon Alexander Hunter. It is one of the oldest art institutions in India.

Later in 1852, the government was taken over this college and renamed as Government School Arts. In 1962, it was again renamed as the Government School of Arts and Crafts and the Government College of Arts and Crafts.

Due to some reasons, it was finally renamed to its present name as Government College of Fine Arts, Chennai and at present, the college offers courses as per the norms and conditions of University of Madras, Chennai.

It is a co-educational State Govt. Institute aims to prepare the students for creative and applied responsibilities in the world of Arts and Design by providing regular courses in which is located in the urban part of Chennai played a pioneering role in the field of higher education.

The college has received many awards and accolades at a city, state and national level for their educational advancements also received the numbers of achievements awards in the field of sports and curricular activities under the affiliating University.

At present, the college offers courses leading to the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in painting, sculpture, printmaking, visual communication design, industrial design in textile, and industrial design in ceramics. It also offers postgraduate programmes i.e. Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in painting, sculpture, visual communication design, industrial design in textile, and industrial design in ceramics.

The college has its own selection process unlike other colleges under the affiliating University. The college has an online application process where prospective applicants are expected to fill in their interests and academic achievements.

Admissions here done are based on the merit obtained by the aspirants with the minimum aggregate of 50% in their previous courses in the relevant field.

Such candidates should examine whether their percentage marks (Best of Four/PCB/PCM, whichever is applicable) falls within the cut- off percentage declared by the college for admission in different courses.

University examinations of different courses, examinations conducted by the affiliating University, and various other examinations are held in the college premises.