Established in 1936, the school is firmly grounded in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. It encourages interaction among its diverse faculty as well as collaboration with related disciplines across campus.

Iowa's art and art history graduates enjoy success as practicing professional artists, professors of art history, teachers, museum directors and curators, theater designers, commercial designers, and art administrators.

The University of Iowa is restoring and replacing School of Art and Art History facilities that were damaged or destroyed by Iowa River flooding during summer 2008. Art Building West has reopened and once again houses the school's main office.