Kittel arts college came in to existence on July, 1st 1988 as a result of the bifurcation of the erstwhile Kittel College
into Kittel Arts College and KittelScience College.
The College is managed by Karnataka Northern Diocese, Church of South India, Basel Mission Higher Education Centre, Dharwad and affiliated to theKarnatak University Dharwad.
The Institution is named after the celebrated Kannada Savant and lexicographer Rev. Dr. Ferdinand Kittel (1832-1903) who came to India as a missionary in 1853, deputed by the Basel Mission, Germany.
He soon gained mastery over the South Indian languages and compiled the voluminous and important Kannada-Kannada-English Dictionary (1894).
It provides instruction in Arts faculty at the degree level, leading to B. A. degree.