Following many efforts raised during the partitions of Poland, on November 1, 1919, the State School of Decorative Arts (Państwowa Szkoła Sztuk Zdobnicznych) was opened in Poznań.

During the years 1919–1925 the educational program implemented related primarily to crafts, art industry and painting.

In the 1950s, because of the restrictions of the authorities, painting, graphics and weaving were abolished and replaced with furniture making and interior design, which became the main disciplines taught at School.

After the Khrushchev Thaw, the school moved to the building of Sądownictwo Krajowe, which belongs to the University of Arts complex to these days.

In 2013 the revitalization of the main building was completed, restoring the previous facade colour and architectural details, such as ornaments and sculptures.