The Art and Oromo Folklore Department is one of the programs registered in Wollega University. It is established in 2006 E.C. (2013/14GC) under the department of Afaan Oromoo. It is established by the assumption to study and preserve the Oromo Culture, History and Identity through Performing and Visual Arts. At a time, the Art Fields was given as a truck, so that they can exercise and facilitate many preconditions to become an independent department. Since 2009 E.C (2017/18 GC) it is separated as one department including three Art Departments and one Folklore Department which is located in the Institute of Languages Study and Journalism of Wollega University. Now day, all these four programs are functioning under one department, but, utilizing different curriculums of their own. Although, they need different attentions and ways of doing things, they are working to their best of level.
This department is delivering courses for 97 regular students and 137 summer student in Regular and Summer modalities, and one Master’s program jointly working with the Department of Afaan Oromoo. The department has 29 academic staff, with the academic rank of lecturer and assistant Lecturer. Separately all have their own curriculums and way of conducting teaching learning process. The Visual Art Program has three specializations; Painting, Graphics Art and Design, and Sculpture which are still working as separate programs under the visual art program. While the Hachalu Hundessa School of Music is working as one program having over 10 major compulsory instruments. The Theatre program is one of the programs included in this department, which is producing a lot of prominent theatre professional in Ethiopia. And the Oromo Folklore is the fourth department (program) included in the Department of Art and Oromo Folklore, which is working on preserving Oromo Traditions, and folk tales in its portion.