It was founded in 1918, by President José Pardo y Barreda and Peruvian painter Daniel Hernández Morillo, who was its first director.

ENSABAP is governed by a General Assembly, who appoints the Technical Council, which runs the different departments painting, sculpture, engraving, restoration/conservation and visual art teaching.

www.ensabap.edu.pe/transparencia.htm Training in the Academic Program Professional Arts Education develops skills related to the pedagogical basis for professional education, visual culture, including psychological aspects, methods of programming and implementation of the project teaching, curriculum design and educational research methods, likewise powers of investigation, experimentation and analysis of theories, methods and situations to develop projects and solve problems The Technical Council consists of the General Director, Academy Director, Administration Director, Cultural Promotion Director, four Professors, one graduate representative, and three student representatives.

At that time, the Kings of Spain and the Popes Urban VIII and Paul V granted it the title of Pontifical University of San Marcos.

The building was acquired by the Director of the ENSABAP, Juan Manuel Ugarte Elespuru, who restored it as an art school.