MIS(MuseudaImagemedoSom)

Inaugurated on September 3, 1965, the Museu da Imagem e do Som (MIS) of Rio de Janeiro was the country's first audiovisual museum. Created by then-governor Carlos Lacerda during the celebrations of the city's 400th anniversary, the MIS was born with the mission of preserving and disseminating Brazil's sound and visual memory, reaffirming Rio's role as the nation's great cultural epicenter, even after the capital had been transferred to Brasília.

Image description: This is a photograph of an urban scene with historic buildings. On the left side, we see a yellow building with classic architectural details, including balconies and gray-framed windows. In the center, there is a larger building, also yellow, with many windows and an ornate façade. On the right, there are lower buildings, including a beige one and another with blue and white decorative elements. In the background, we see a light blue sky. At the bottom of the image, people are walking down the street, and some objects such as stalls and orange-colored boxes are arranged on the ground.

The historic headquarters of MIS is located on Praça Luiz Souza Dantas, in the Praça XV area, the administrative and social heart of Rio since colonial times. The neoclassical building that houses the museum has a fascinating origin: it was built to serve as the Federal District Pavilion during the International Exposition of the Centennial of Independence, in 1922.

The surrounding area is one of the city's richest archaeological and historical sites, home to the Paço Imperial, the Chafariz do Mestre Valentim, and the Cais do Valongo (nearby). The MIS building, listed as a heritage site in 1989, witnessed the transformation of downtown's waterfront and the urban modernization of the 1920s, preserving its original architectural elegance to this day.

Image description: The image is a photograph of a historic building located in an urban setting. On the left side, there is a modern building with a glass and metal facade. In the center, the main building is neoclassical in style, with detailed architecture and decorative elements. The facade is white, with large windows and an arch at the main entrance. On the right, there are tall palm trees and another modern building in the background. The sky is blue with some white clouds.

An Archive of Voices and Images MIS is world-famous for the "Depoimentos para a Posteridade" project, launched in 1966. This project recorded historic interviews with figures who shaped Brazil, such as samba musician João da Baiana (the first interviewee), Pixinguinha, Chico Buarque, and João Cândido, the leader of the Revolta da Chibata.

Currently, the institution is divided between two headquarters (Praça XV and Lapa) and holds a monumental heritage of more than 310,000 items. Among the treasures in the collection, notable highlights include Augusto Malta's rich photographic collection, which documented Rio's urban transformation in the early 20th century, and the private collections of names such as Jacob do Bandolim and Elizeth Cardoso.

Beyond preservation, the MIS is an active research center on popular music, radio, cinema, and photography, serving as a foundation for historians, students, and lovers of Carioca culture.

Image description: This is a photograph of a modern building located in an urban setting. On the left side, we see a residential building with a light-colored façade and many windows. In front of it, there are green trees and a lamppost. In the center of the image, the main building has an angular, metallic structure with large glass windows. On the right, there is another residential building similar to the first one, also with many windows. In the background, the sky is light blue, with no clouds. At the bottom of the image, there is a traffic lane with parked cars and a construction area with blue and white signs.

In 2010, the cornerstone of a new headquarters was laid in Copacabana. Construction was interrupted several times, but the inauguration of the new space is scheduled for 2026.

Useful Information

Addresses: Administrative and Research Headquarters (Lapa): Rua Visconde de Maranguape, 15 – Lapa, Rio de Janeiro – RJ. Historic Headquarters (Praça XV): Praça Luiz Souza Dantas, 1 – Centro, Rio de Janeiro – RJ (Near the ferry station and the Praça XV VLT stop). Official Website: mis.rj.gov.br Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please Note: Due to renovations or temporary exhibitions, it is recommended to check visiting availability on social media or the official website before going. Access Conditions: Admission: Generally free for common areas and research consultations (by appointment). Special exhibitions may charge a nominal fee. Academic Research: MIS offers a collection consultation service by prior appointment via the email provided on the website. Accessibility: The Praça XV headquarters has ramps and elevators; however, as it is a historic building from 1922, some areas may have specific restrictions.