The Vanadzor branch of the Yerevan State Theatre and Film Institute was established thanks to the efforts of the USSR and the Armenian SSR People's Artist, Sos Sargsyan, and People's Artist of the Republic of Armenia, Hakob Azizyan. After extensive and complex preparatory work, the branch officially opened in 2003 with the support of the Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan and the governor of the Lory region in those years, Henrik Kochinyan.

In 2003, the departments for "Theatre Studies" and "Television Directing" were opened, followed by a "Choreography" department in subsequent years. Thanks to Hakob Azizyan's efforts, necessary stage props and costumes were acquired for the newly established branch. Initially, the first two floors of the building were allocated to the Theatre institute, and later the third and fourth floors were also provided. Many graduates joined the acting troupes of local theatres.