In 1984, after having had a wish fulfilled in 1980-81 by the National Berniniano Committee, established at the National Academy dei Lincei and by the Sicilian Scientific Committee for the ceremony of “Arte e Cultura nell’Italia del Seicento” ( Art and Culture during the 1600’s in Italy); the Association “ International Study Centre on Baroque in Sicily” was founded and later named “The International Study Centre on Baroque” (CISB) with registered office at the Palazzo del Senato in Siracusa, thanks to the three Foundation Bodies and Founders – the Municipality, the Regional Province and the Chamber of Commerce. Thereafter the Municipality of Noto (1985), the Municipality of Ragusa (1986) and the Municipality of Scicli (1996) became members of the association.
In the course of its activities the CISB has carried out tasks in cooperation and with the support of cultural institutes, national and international research, universities, superintendencies, safeguarding associations, national and international organisations as well as national and regional bodies.