The Gyumri branch of the Yerevan State Theatre and Film Institute was established in 1997 by № 231 Government Decision of the Republic of Armenia. It is the only higher education institution for theatrical arts in the Shirak region. Since the 2007-2008 academic year, the branch has adopted a two-tier education system - bachelor's and master's degrees - and implemented a credit system. The educational process is organized according to the approved curricula and programs approved by the main university and in accordance with state educational standards. The institution employs specialists with professional education and pedagogical experience.

The branch operates in a comfortable building equipped with spacious auditoriums, rehearsal halls, dance studio, and laboratories for art studies, humanitarian subjects, film screenings, art direction, and round table workroom labs. Besides, it has a photography studio, a scientific library and a student theatre hall.

The best graduates of the branch often join the troupes of the Gyumri Drama Theatre after V. Ajemian and the Alikhanyan Puppet Theatre in Gyumri, as well as local television and radio companies. A significant number of graduates undertake their postgraduate studies through PhD programmes.