The history of the Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts (Turkish: Mimar Sinan Güzel Sanatlar Üniversitesi) goes back to the founding of an art school by the art historian, archaeologist, curator, architect and painter Osman Hamdi Bey in 1882.

Offering Turkey’s first higher education in art and architecture, the school was called the Fine Arts Academy (Turkish: Güzel Sanatlar Akademisi) in 1928 and took its current name when it was turned into a university in 1982.

The Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts is the most prestigious art school in Turkey. In addition to its fine arts faculties it has faculties of architecture and literature, a conservatory,  and a physical and social sciences institute.

Its central campus is located in Fındıklı and there are a number of other campuses and buildings around the city.