The Foundation was set up in 1964. It is a private, independently financed institution, whose aims are both cultural and educational. Right from the start, it did not have an easy time, undergoing tree consecutive statutory modifications. On November 1974, at the age of 88, António Cupertino de Miranda passed away. Portugal was in the midst of difficult times. The Revolution of April 25 1974 brought changes at all levels: political, economic and social. The Foundation, whose assets consisted almost entirely of shares from the Banco Português do Atlântico, was left with practically nothing as a result of the nationalisation of the Banks on March 1975. The Foundation was forced to close through lack of funds. Nevertheless, its administrators never considered the option of closing for good: the example of the founder's life and their commitment to carry on Dr António Cupertino de Miranda's dream were far stronger than that. There were many difficulties, but these merely served to drive them on. Thus, in 1981, the financial restructuring of the Foundation began. This important year was also when the administrator Dr. Alberto Correia de Almeida decided to initiate a collection of paper currency, which would enable consideration of a future Museum of Paper Money. From 1981 onwards, the main objective was to work, invest and create income for setting up a centre capable of implementing cultural activities. In 1989, the Foundation was able to acquire some land in the Avenida da Boavista, opposite the beautiful City Park, and reserve 10,000 m2 for its centre. From then on, the objective became not only to create financial support but also to build the headquarters. The project for this was awarded to the architect Francisco Braancamp de Figueiredo. On April 1991, exactly 10 years after the Foundation had reopened, the Avenida da Boavista became its new home. Although the Foundation was on the present site, it was much smaller than it is today. EVOLUTION SINCE 1996
On January 1996 the Museum of Paper Money, institution's focal point, was inaugurated. Since then, the Foundation has increased in size - the built-up area now covers 4.000m2. The centre has auditoriums and exhibition rooms equipped with the most modern audio and video projection systems, videoconferencing and simultaneous translation. It also has a restaurant opened every day. Congresses, temporary exhibitions, concerts and debates are held here. Apart from the activities and projects included in the Foundation's own programme, it also hosts initiatives by other entities, offering high quality cultural and artistic entertainment. MANAGEMENT POLICY
Certain priorities have been defined in the strategies that form a strict management policy enabling the Foundation to be financially self-sufficient. The Foundation and the Museum participate culturally in the city of Porto and in the Northern Region and work together with other european cultural institutions with which they are involved in trans-national projects. AREAS OF INTERVENTION
The area of paper currency is one of the priorities. Bearing in mind the resolutions of the European Council for the decade 2000-2010, the Foundation's cultural policy has chosen other important areas of intervention. These focus on education, promoting the society of knowledge, creating opportunities for life long learning and activities for quality and pleasurable free time. The Foundation believes that culture is the driving force behind society, which leads to vitality, discussion and cohesion. It is closely related to the answers we need to find for the great contemporary challenges: accelerating European construction, the information society and social cohesion. The António Cupertino de Miranda Foundation begins the millennium with the optimism of those that have learnt how to cross deserts, to transform difficulties into stimuli, and support themselves on convictions to reach goals and build futures.