This fraternity bonds artists together to form a unit that is influential in the art department as well as the community.

In 1915, according to The Kentuckian Yearbook, the fraternity had a publication called The Quill and Inkhorn and had adopted the pansy as its flower and as its colors lavender and old gold.

Kappa Pi's mission is:"The purpose of this Fraternity will be to form bodies of representative students who will, by their influence and artistic interests, uphold the highest ideals of a liberal education; to provide a means whereby students with artistic commitment meet for informal study and communication; to raise the standards of productive artistic work among the students in the colleges and universities; to furnish the highest reward for conscientious effort in furthering the best interest of art in the broadest sense of the term, by election to membership in the Fraternity, based upon such meritorious work.

"Kappa Pi's mission state is "Art colors life and enriches living".

It was designed by Balfour Co. and Charles R. Morse, a member of the Zeta chapter of the University of Tennessee, and it was formally adopted in 1934 at the first National Conference.

The purple iris is the official flower of Kappa Pi;[13] it was adopted in 1934 at the first National Conference.

Around the shield is a wide white or silver border on which is charged in the upper left-hand corner a sphinx.

The Seal is present on all Kappa Pi membership shingles.One main tradition of chapters is the creation of a Pledge Paddle by the big brother/sister with the incoming member.

Initiations can be held at any time during the fiscal year, at the discretion of the university art department and chapter sponsors.

Membership in Kappa Pi is divided into six classes: active: alumni, sponsor, faculty, associate, honorary, patron, and life.

[14] Associate, patron, faculty, sponsor and honorary membership can be bestowed under guidelines established by the International Constitution.

[14] Faculty members who are interested in art are invited by the local chapter to affiliate based on payment of International dues with no initiation fee.

[14] Life membership is open to any member in the above categories who contributes to the International Scholarship Endowment.

Some chapters help out at monthly art department exhibitions and other department functions, sponsor museum trips, host regional high school exhibitions, and assist with art programs at local elementary and high schools.

Some chapters alter the academic requirements to a higher standard than the international level or may adjust membership status to suit their needs.

If significant changes are made to the by-laws provided by the fraternity, it is necessary to send a copy to the international office for executive approval.

[18] The first International conference of Kappa Pi, then only a national fraternity, was held in 1934 in Chicago, Illinois.

The assembly has the power to overturn rulings of the executive council with a two-thirds majority vote.