Its origins date back to 1974, as branch of the Music College in Łódź (Polish: Filia Wyższej Szkoły Muzycznej w Łodzi) until 1979.

At that point it was established as independent Bydgoszcz State College of Music (Polish: Państwowa Wyższa Szkoła Muzyczna), consisting of four departments.

On 3 April 1921, he conducted in Bydgoszcz the local choir "Halka" in a room on Torunska street, and on 18 November 1923, he led a concert in the Seminar Building on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of Polish independence.

During the ceremony, in the presence of President of Poland Ignacy Mościcki, Feliks Nowowiejski conducted a solemn concert performed by the orchestra of the 68th Infantry Regiment and combined choirs of Bydgoszcz and Poznań.

This approval allowed the rector of the College of Music in Łódź, Zenon Ploszaj, to establish a branch of the school on 1 October 1974, in Bydgoszcz.

[5] On 1 October 1975, first classes began with 25 students of the Instrumental Faculty, led by Deputy Dean and manager of the academy, Miroslaw Pietkiewicz.

Initially, the classes were conducted in the halls of the Pomeranian Philharmonic and the Music School, and lectures performed by professors coming from Łódź.

In 1976, a Musical Education department was created and the academy moved into its main building, provided by the voivodeship at Slowackiego street 7, which still remains its headquarters today.

The latin motto of the university Musica spiritus movens (Music moves spirit) has been then placed at the front of the building beside a crowned eagle.

[2] In 2007, the academy received the historic building of the Pomeranian Arts House, originally built in 1887 and previously run by the Opera Nova Bydgoszcz.

After a series of revitalization works, including a 2009 European investment projects fund, the modernization of the facility has been carried out to fit the premises to teaching purposes, consisting of the restoration of the concert hall and the 19th century facade.

[9][10] The strategic objective set by the board of the Academy of Music is to increase the number of professors, as well as the capacity to deliver doctoral degrees, so as to give a more important dimension to the university.

Together with Pomeranian Philharmonic and the building of the Music Schools Group, they form a network surrounding the Jan Kochanowski Park where a gallery of sculptures related to composers and virtuosos is displayed.

Some of them are regular events listed in Bydgoszcz calendar of cultural events, such as: Student ensemble or soloists attend festivals and music competitions, at regional, national and international levels, such as: The cultural activity of the academy ranks third in the musical institution production of the city, after Opera Nova and the Pomeranian Philharmonic.

It involves collecting and documenting data regarding musical culture in Kujawy and Pomerania and setting-up of scientific sessions devoted to this subject.

Their product is reflected in an annual scientific journal, representing an overview of musical life in different periods, from the Old Polish days to contemporary times.