The earliest files in this series relate to the Canberra School of Music and the Canberra School of Art. From 1987 the files relate to the Canberra Institute of the Arts, an amalgamation of the Schools. In 1992 the Institute transferred from the ACT Government to become part of the Australian National University. The series includes minutes of meetings of the Councils or Boards for all these bodies and files about graduation ceremonies, celebrations and donations.

This series includes Council minutes, agenda papers and reports of the School of Music before its amalgamation with the Canberra School of Art to become the Canberra Institute of the Arts.

Records include agendas and minutes for some committee and staff meetings, student competition and concert programs, posters and flyers, correspondence, reports and curriculum review documents, student reports and enrolments, Canberra School of Music newsletters, concert recordings, and photograph collection.

These are printed copies of programs distributed at concerts, recitals and other performances at the Canberra School of Music from its establishment. They include performances by School of Music staff and students, visiting musicians, and concerts which were part of national tours, for instance by Musica Viva and the Australian Chamber Orchestra. Some are high quality glossy programs while others are roneoed sheets. There are also some fliers, posters and publicity files which include photographs of musicians and reviews of performances. Publications include handbooks and calendars.

The publications relate to the Institute of the Arts (ITA) and predecessors the Canberra Institute of the Arts (CITA), the Canberra School of Music and the Canberra School of Art. There are also publications relating to the Drill Hall Gallery.

Student exam and assessment results for the School of Music, School of Art, Australian Centre for the Arts and Technology; reports, media releases and publications. Institute of the Arts study programs, Canberra School of Art council meetings minutes, agenda and papers. Also includes minutes of the Board of Studies 1976-1980.