The Department of Fine Arts and Design at H. Dosmukhamedov Atyrau University was established in 1994 within the Faculty of Music. Initially, students were enrolled in the program “Fine Arts and Technical Drawing,” and the founding faculty included S.E. Bigaliev, B.Zh. Baizulova, and D.A. Toleuov.

            In 1995, the department became part of the Faculty of Music Education and was renamed “Methods of Music Education and Fine Arts.” During this period, under the leadership of V.V. Chureev and later O.F. Raisov, the department expanded its academic staff and strengthened its disciplinary coverage.

            In 1998, the department graduated its first cohort of students and was later reorganized as an independent academic unit. In 1999, the “Design” program was introduced, significantly enhancing its academic and professional capacity.

            Over the years, the department has been led by several distinguished scholars and practitioners. Currently, it is headed by Senior Lecturer A.S. Bekesheva.

            The department offers accredited programs in “Design” and “Fine Arts and Drawing,” aligned with the Bologna Process and modern labor market requirements.

            The academic staff includes candidates of sciences, honored cultural figures of Kazakhstan, and members of national and international professional unions of artists and designers.

            Faculty members and students actively participate in regional, national, and international exhibitions, achieving notable recognition. Among their achievements are Grand Prix awards at prestigious competitions and festivals.

            The department has produced a number of successful graduates who have become recognized artists and designers at the international level.

            Students regularly participate in academic mobility programs, studying in countries such as Turkey, Finland, and Latvia.

            In recent years, the department has strengthened its international collaboration through academic exchanges, internships, and joint projects with foreign universities. In 2020, it organized a large-scale international online exhibition with participation from over 200 artists worldwide.

            Today, the department continues to integrate education, creativity, and research, preparing highly qualified specialists in the fields of fine arts and design.