The Hungarian Institute of Culture was established on 1 January 1992 by an edict of The Ministry of Education.
The aim of the Hungarian Institute of Culture was to promote cultural work and new cultural initiatives. It also supported the folk-art tradition and the spread of interest in the fates of Hungarian nationalities living beyond the borders in the neighboring countries. The purpose of the institution was to examine the social effects of cultural values and to educate specialists. The other task of the institution was to ensure the authenticity of the folk creations, to look after the folk-art collections, and to provide opinions on folk art creations. The location of the institution was in the building of the so-called Budai Vigadó (8 Corvin tér, Budapest).