it is in the carioca spirit to proudly share the many facets of the local culture with gratification, and to encourage active participation in cultural life for all - this is perhaps the reason why the city, along with a variety of large private institutions, maintain a number of cultural centers, with free admission, rich of all types of expositions, workshops and performances.

often free of charge, and open seven days a week, musical, artistic, historical, and even fashion and photography galleries are routinely available for the public's enjoyment throughout metropolitan rio de janeiro - they can provide an entertaining day out, for visitors in search of something a little different.

cultural centers tend to take a governing topic or theme, around which an assortment of creative exhibitions, performance and activities blossom and circulate - with this in mind, there is a blurry line between museums and cultural centers, seeing as at times museums also constitute cultural centers - the prefeitura (city hall) do rio de janeiro publishes a complete and updated list on their website.