the fundação casa frança brasil opened as a cultural center in 1990 and serves a range of diverse artistic activities from visual arts to music gigs. the establishment receives funding from the state of rio de janeiro's department of culture and continues to support a number of brazilian and international artists by hosting exhibitions throughout the year.

in 2008 the cultural center underwent a significant transformation, which involved the physical refurbishment of the main building and a rethink of the institution's mission plan. after months of closure the doors were re-opened with new curatorial direction regarding all art and contemporary culture on show.