The Centre national d'art et de culture was an idea of Georges Pompidou; the president in fact, wanted to create an original institution within the city of Paris, focused on modern and contemporary creation, as well as focused on literature, cinema, music and theatre. The centre opened its doors in 1977, built on the projects by two young architects, who fully understood the criteria of the competition. Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers were able to design a building whose movement and flow systems are relegated to the outside, hence freeing completely the interior. Moreover, the building fully integrates in the surrounding area, linking the city and the centre. A leading collection of modern contemporary art in Europe can be found within its walls, as performance halls, research institutes and areas dedicated to educational activities. International events and public exhibitions take place all the year round, aiming at the spreading of knowledge about any creative work.