The Regional Government of Bali in 1967 first established STSI. To train a new generation of artists and scholars to help preserve, study and develop the performing arts of Bali. It became a national institute in 1969, and since then has been administered by the Directorate General Of Higher Education And Culture. The curriculum offers dance, music and shadow puppetry. Undergraduate students can attain a Sarjana Muda Bachelor of Arts degree, and there is graduate program that awards a Master of Arts degree, Seniman Seni Tari.

A new curriculum is being prepared for the future incorporation of the academy into the Art Institution of Indonesian, (ISI) which will result in the elevating of this school to the level of a State University.

A key role in the annual Bali Arts Festival is laid by the students of STSI, who create extra vaganza dance each year that are extremely popular with Balinese audiences. Performing groups from the Academy are often called upon to give presentations for visiting dignitaries. Strong ties with institutions in other countries, The Ford Foundation and The Asian Cultural Council among others, have led to a number of opportunities for study courses in the United States for M.A and Ph.D. levels.

STSI located at Nusa Indah Street and beside of Art center in order to the Arrangement of Bali Art Festival, at STSI is also arranged the place of Art Performance, exhibition place and another activities as long as event is taken place.