[3] It serves as both a teaching venue and a platform for presenting student projects from acting, directing, and dramaturgy exams, as well as hosting professional theater productions[4] and film screenings.

According to the Academy’s 1985 regulations, Open Stage Obala was defined as a distinct work unit with an Artistic Council established to guide its programs.

[7] Acclaimed filmmaker and Sarajevo-native, Emir Kusturica, was appointed the first Artistic Director, with prominent council members including Miroslav Mandić, Mirza Idrizović, and Nikola Stojanović.

[14] Today, the Academy of Performing Arts has four departments—Acting, Directing, Production, and Dramaturgy, hence the scope of Open Stage Obala's activities has significantly expanded.

Over the past 25 years, students have had the opportunity to learn from international guests and lecturers, including Mustafa Nadarević, Leos Carax, Jean-Luc Godard,[16] Richard Gere,[17] Susan Sontag,[18] Bono Vox,[19] Enki Bilal,[20] Michael Cimino, Hanif Kureishi, Danis Tanović, and Jasmila Žbanić, among others.