the center is the former home of laura alvim, the daughter of álvaro alvim, who first introduced the x-ray to brazil. it was laura's dream to become an actress -a dream that never came to fruition. when her father died in 1928 she decided to turn her home into an arts and cultural center in an homage to him.

in 1983, laura alvim experienced severe mental health problems and turned the house over to the state to be run as a public center. nowadays it includes a small museum with films, art and objects, that alvim collected when she was alive. acting, painting and other art courses are offered to the public throughout the year.