Malagoli started gathering some paintings dispersed among the state institutions and, provided with funds, purchased other pieces in São Paulo, mainly of stars of Brazilian painting as well as of some European authors, and in Rio Grande do Sul, from local contemporary artists. The museum finally opened to the public in 1955, installed in the foyer of São Pedro Theatre, showing those first acquisitions, some 120 pieces. In the 1960s the museum moved to an apartment on Salgado Filho Street, and in 1978 to its current building, which was adapted to receive staff and collection.