Nel 1971 the Foundation “Civico Museo Biblioteca dell’Attore del Teatro Stabile di Genova” was established; the founding members are the Municipality of Genoa, the Province of Genoa, the Chamber of Commerce of Genoa, Teatro Stabile di Genova.
Nel 1976, with a presidential decree, the legal personality of the Entity was recognized. In 1982, in the presence of the mayor, the new headquarters of the Foundation was inaugurated at Villetta Serra, specially renovated by the Municipality of Genoa. In 1994, the Liguria region recognized the Museo Biblioteca dell’Attore as a “Cultural Institution of regional interest.” Known and appreciated nationally in all sectors of theatrical culture, the Civico Museo Biblioteca dell’Attore is a foundation aimed at the historical and critical study of theater, scenic art, and the conditions of the Italian actor from the beginning of the 18th century onwards.
This purpose is pursued through a library specialized in dramatic theater and cinema, which currently owns about 40,000 volumes and an archive that preserves about 72,000 autographs; 69,000 photographs; 1,300 scripts; 4,000 sketches, designs, caricatures, original drawings, posters, playbills; 62,000 press clippings; 7,000 programs. The CMBA also owns a collection of costumes that belonged to actors such as Adelaide Ristori, Ermete Zacconi, lamberto Picasso, Sergio Tofano, Lilla Brignone and others. The most precious are works by Worth and Tirelli.
Among the precious collections of the Museum is also a 19th-century marionette theater, the Teatrino Rissone, which since March 2006 has been exhibited in the Museum of Sant’Agostino in Genoa. The study of Glberto Govi, with the actor’s archive, is also preserved in the same Museum.
The Archive, with its collections, plays a great role in the preparation of theses and studies on theater, addressed by students and scholars from all over Italy and abroad. The privileged contacts for study and research activities are the professors of theater and performance disciplines, both from the University of Genoa and from all Italian universities and DAMS.
The CMBA organizes and collaborates in the realization of exhibitions, meetings, guided tours, book presentations, and prepares publications of studies related to the preserved material.
 nasce nel 1966 come settore del Teatro Stabile di Genova, allora diretto da Ivo Chiesa e da Luigi Squarzina, per ospitare le carte, i libri e i cimeli teatrali della "famiglia d'arte" Salvini (Giuseppe, Tommaso, Celso, Guido); nel 1967 viene donato, dall'erede Giuliano Capranica del Grillo, il vastissimo Fondo Adelaide Ristori.){kind=link}