The Cravo Albin Cultural Institute, a civil, non-profit organization headquartered in Rio de Janeiro City, was established in 2001. ICCA was designed to promote and support cultural research activities, particularly the Cravo Albin Dictionary of Brazilian Popular Music.

Donated by the ICCA founder, the 3,000 sq meter headquarters includes a social area and spaces to be adapted for technical reserve and exhibitions of the Institute’s collection.

The ICCA collection – donated by Ricardo Cravo Albin and by collectors and owners of collections – is comprised of original documents; photographs; newspaper and magazine clippings; radio and TV scripts and shows; musical scripts; and an estimated phonographic collection of 30,000 (thirty thousand) 12”, 10” and 8” acetates, 2,000 (two thousand) reel tapes, 700 (seven hundred) cassette tapes, and 1,000 (one thousand) CD’s. This collection is supplemented by a large number of audiovisual documents with many events taped in video-cassettes.

The Institute collection includes a museum of Brazilian Popular Music icons’ wardrobe; trophies; medals; vintage furniture; sculptures; handicrafts; and oil paintings and pictures by renowned Brazilian artists.

The originals and copyrights to the Cravo Albin Dictionary of Brazilian Popular Music, one of Albin’s greatest accomplishments, were also donated by the ICCA founder (a Brazilian Popular Music researcher and specialist), thus integrating and enriching the Institute’s heritage.

The Cravo Albin Cultural Institute, we believe, qualifies for support by Government-owned and private organizations, companies, foundations and national and international research groups interested in preserving, broadcasting and promoting Brazilian Popular Music for their origin and orientation.

The idea of designing and establishing a Reference Center for Brazilian Popular Music (supported by the Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro / PUC-Rio) will certainly boost the Institute’s activities. We are positive that its unique services will provide significant contribution for Brazil’s culture.