CSAC - Centro Studi e Archivio della Comunicazione

The Study Centre and Communication Archive (CSAC) is a research centre of the University of Parma founded in 1968 by Professor Arturo Carlo Quintavalle. Right from the start, it concentrated on assembling a collection of fine art, photography, architectural drawings, design, fashion and graphics, as well as organizing exhibitions and publishing catalogues.

Since 2007, it has been based at the Valserena Abbey, also known as the Charterhouse of Paradigna, just a few kilometres from Parma. It is divided into five sections – Fine Art, Photography, Media, Project, and Visual Arts – containing around 12 million single items.

Its institutional task is the collection, conservation, cataloguing and promotion of cultural heritage. In addition, it provides scientific consultancy to support teaching, research and design, and organizes exhibitions: to date, it has over 100 exhibitions and as many publications to its credit.

Since May 23rd 2015 it is also a Museum, open to the public.