The institute began in 1964 under the name Karawitan Arts Academy of Indonesia (Indonesian:
Akademi Seni Karawitan Indonesia). By 1973, with the release of a decree from the Education and Cultural Ministry, the academy was able to open up a bachelor's degree program for
Karawitan. In 1988, the academy underwent a structural and name change and became Indonesian Arts College of Surakarta (Indonesian:
Sekolah Tinggi Seni Indonesia Surakarta). It was only in 2006 that the name Indonesian Institute of the Arts Surakarta became the official name of the school. == Logo and philosophy ==