The State Institute for Art Studies is unique due to the comprehensive character of its scientific activities. The Institute’s personnel includes leading specialists in theatre, music, visual, applied and decorative arts, architecture, as well as in neighbouring areas of science, such as culturology, aesthetics, sociology and economics of art and culture.

The Institute’s scholars explore not only Russian art, but also the art of Western and Central Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Equally broad is the chronological range of research – from the ancient times to the present.

The State Institute for Art Studies is in the avant-garde of Russian art scholarship and presents it on the world arena. SIAS is the only Russian member of the International Association of Research Institutes in the History of Art (RIHA). Scholars from SIAS take part in large-scale international projects, carried out in collaboration with leading foreign universities and other scientific centres.