This observatory, founded in 1996, is an initiative of the Portuguese Ministry of Culture, the Social Sciences Institute of the University of Lisbon (ICS-UL) and the National Statistic Institute (INE). Its main task is to produce and disseminate information on current trends in the field of cultural activities with emphasis on audience researches, cultural events and their impact, cultural policies, cultural agents and studies on cultural institutions.

The OAC is a member of the European Association of Cultural Researchers (ECURES) and therefore participates actively in many of ERICArts European-wide research projects.