The academy is sponsored by the Tianjin Municipal People's Government.

The Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts was founded in 1906 with the original name of Peiyang Female Normal School (北洋女师范学堂), which has a long history and it is also a comprehensive college providing a wide variety of subjects.

It is the most important arts education center in the north part of China.

In 1949 men were admitted to the facility and it was renamed the Henei Normal Arts Academy.

There are a group of art educators and famous scholars who have a high reputation both at home and abroad.