NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ARTS (ASK) which was established in 1994 under the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Tourism Malaysia is now known as ACADEMY OF CULTURAL ARTS AND NATIONAL HERITAGE (ASWARA) effective on 1 August 2006 through the National Academy of Cultural Arts and Heritage ACT 2006 (Act 653)
ASWARA is the only institution of higher learning in the field of performance that is fully supported by the Malaysian Government under the Ministry of Unity, Culture, Arts and Malaysian Heritage. It is an institution of higher learning that provides learning space, research and academic publication as well as professional advisory services in the field of art, culture and heritage that aims to produce skilled artists and authoritative employees in their fields in addition to strengthening the continuity of the country's artistic heritage. In principle, ASWARA focuses on art education to produce knowledgeable and professional "performers" to fill the country's art industry.
ASWARA is responsible for producing graduates who are capable of becoming scholars, promoters, nurturers, performers and practitioners of cultural and heritage arts at the certificate, diploma, degree and highest degree levels in the fields of research and cultural cultivation, conservation and heritage administration of various types.