In its initial stages, Silpakorn University's education consisted of the Faculty of Painting, Sculpture and Graphic Arts, the Faculty of Architecture, the Faculty of Archaeology, and the Faculty of Decorative Arts, all located at Tha Phra Palace, Bangkok. As the variety of disciplines expanded, the Sanam Chandra Palace Campus in Nakhon Pathom was established in 1966, opening the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty of Education, the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Pharmacy, and the Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Technology. Additionally, the Graduate School was established to oversee postgraduate education. In 1997, following the government's policy to expand regional education, the Phetchaburi Information Technology Campus was established, hosting the Faculty of Animal Sciences and Agricultural Technology, the Faculty of Management Science, the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, and the Silpakorn University International College. The Faculty of Music was also established and is based at the Office of the President, Taling Chan, Bangkok, completing the coverage of all artistic branches.

In the 2017 academic year, Silpakorn University expanded to Muang Thong Thani, establishing a City Campus to support international organization development. This expansion addresses global educational trends, social needs, and national and international expectations, particularly the entry into the ASEAN Economic Community. It also solves space limitations at crowded campuses like Tha Phra Palace and Taling Chan. The City Campus will support future expansions of faculties wishing to operate in the city area.

Furthermore, Silpakorn University has support units equivalent to faculties to ensure educational efficiency, including the Central Library, the Office of Digital Technology, and the Art, Culture, and Creative Office. Other strategic units under the Office of the President include the SU Food Innovation Center, the General Education and English Language Learning Development Center, the Internal Audit Office, the Academic Services Office, the Research, Innovation, and Creativity Administration Office, the International Center for Art Conservation, the Educational Innovation Center, the Property Management Office, the International Affairs Center, the Lifelong Learning Institute, the Resource Data Management Center, and the Franco-Thai Hotel and Tourism Preparatory School. The operations follow the university's philosophy: 'Arts and Sciences for Sustainable Nation-building' under the determination: 'Creating Arts, Sciences, and Wisdom for Society' to achieve the vision: 'A leading international creative university integrating arts and sciences for a sustainable society.' The mission is to produce quality graduates with integrity, responsible citizens serving society and the nation, alongside research, academic services, and art and culture preservation.

The symbol of Silpakorn University is Ganesha, the god of success, arts, sciences, and literature. His upper right hand holds a trident, lower right hand holds an ivory tusk, upper left hand holds a noose (pasa), and lower left hand holds a water vessel. He is seated on a cloud throne decorated with Kanok patterns.
Below is the text 'Silpakorn University,' adopted in July 1951. After becoming an autonomous university, the university announced a new logo on August 24, 2016, to replace the Garuda emblem for official use in government documents, stamps, memos, orders, and announcements.