In recent years, cultural rights have gained increasing prominence within Spain’s cultural policy agenda, particularly in relation to territorial inequalities, freedom of expression and democratic values. One key area of concern has been access to culture in rural areas. Demographic trends—especially ageing and depopulation—have disproportionately affected these regions, prompting targeted policy responses. Initiatives such as the Culture and Rural Environment Forums, implemented within the Culture and Citizenship Programme, aim to promote reflection, professional exchange and the dissemination of innovative practices that enhance cultural participation in rural contexts. These initiatives recognise culture as a driver of social cohesion, identity formation and quality of life.
At the same time, debates on cultural rights have intensified in response to tensions between freedom of expression and censorship. High-profile incidents in 2018, affecting contemporary art exhibitions, music and publishing, triggered national debate and mobilisation within the cultural sector, including public statements by professional associations opposing censorship. These controversies have re-emerged in recent years within broader “culture wars”, particularly following the 2023 elections, when shifts in political power at regional and local levels led to measures affecting cultural diversity, linguistic rights and artistic expression[1].
In this context of increasing ideological polarisation and the spread of misinformation and hate speech, cultural rights have been framed as a central pillar of democratic governance. Public policies increasingly emphasise the protection of pluralism, artistic freedom and cultural diversity. This trend is reflected in actions related to democratic memory, including the resignification of contested heritage sites and the implementation of the 2022 Democratic Memory Act.
The Cultural Rights Plan 2025–2030 represents a significant milestone in this development. It positions culture as a fundamental human right and a collective good, grounded in principles of democracy, social justice and social transformation. Developed through a participatory process involving public institutions, cultural actors and civil society, the Plan establishes five strategic priorities: strengthening cultural democracy; addressing contemporary social challenges through culture; enhancing the sustainability and independence of the cultural ecosystem; consolidating cultural rights as a transversal framework; and reinforcing institutional capacity.
These priorities reflect a shift towards more integrated and cross-sectoral cultural policies, linking culture with areas such as equality, sustainability, health, digital transformation and territorial cohesion. This approach is aligned with international frameworks, including the United Nations 2030 Agenda and UNESCO cultural policy recommendations, and has been reinforced by Spain’s role in hosting MONDIACULT 2025.
Emerging challenges further shape this policy landscape. The climate crisis has highlighted the role of culture in resilience and reconstruction, as illustrated by the 2024 emergency plan for the cultural sector in Valencia following severe flooding. In parallel, technological transformations—particularly the expansion of generative artificial intelligence—raise new ethical concerns regarding authorship, labour conditions and cultural value. High levels of public concern about the impact of these technologies on artistic work underscore the need for updated regulatory frameworks and policy responses.
At the regional level, legislative and policy developments reinforce the growing recognition of cultural rights within Spain’s multi-level governance system. Autonomous communities have increasingly adopted legal and strategic approaches centred on access, inclusion and participation. Recent examples include Galicia, where the regional government approved 3/2024 of 5 December on Inclusive and Accessible Culture Act, which promotes access to culture from an inclusive perspective, with particular attention to groups at risk of cultural exclusion. In the Basque Country, the regional government has adopted the Strategic Plan for Culture 2028 and is developing draft legislation aimed at establishing a comprehensive cultural system in Euskadi.
These initiatives build on earlier precedents, such as Navarre’s Regional Act 1/2019 on Cultural Rights, developed through a participatory process involving public authorities, cultural actors and civil society. Similarly, the Canary Islands approved Act 1/2023, which frames the protection and promotion of cultural rights within an integrated institutional framework. In Catalonia, the Draft Law on Cultural Rights is currently under parliamentary debate, reflecting the continued development of this policy area.
Taken together, these initiatives illustrate the progressive institutionalisation of cultural rights across Spain and highlight the role of regional governments as key actors in advancing more inclusive cultural policies.
[1] Rius-Ulldemolins, J., Rubio-Arostegui, J. A., & Pecourt Gracia, J. (2025). Nativist nationalism, cultural homogenisation and bullfighting: VOX’s cultural policy as an instrument for cultural battle (2019–2023). International Journal of Cultural Policy, 31(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/10286632.2024.2320424
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