after months of closure the doors were re-opened with new curatorial direction regarding all art and contemporary culture on show - as a result the variety of exhibitions has broadened and cultural events such as literary workshops, cooking classes, dramatic productions, design shows, and expositions portraying both the identity and culture of brazil and rio de have become more frequent.

in a word the center diversified - the work of artists including rosana palazyan, daniel senise, waltercio caldas, and christian boltanski have also been shown more often since the turn of 2008.  

originally commissioned in 1819 the original building was designed by french architect grandjean de montigny, who lives to his last days in rio de janeiro - it is regarded as the first example of neo-classical architecture in rio de janeiro setting the tone for more buildings to be constructed in the same style throughout the city.