Social inclusion has become an increasingly important dimension of cultural policy in Spain, although policy approaches have evolved significantly over time. Earlier frameworks tended to conceive culture primarily as an instrument for social integration and territorial cohesion. More recent approaches, however, reflect a shift towards a rights-based perspective, recognising participation in cultural life as a fundamental component of citizenship and social inclusion.
This transition is particularly reflected in the Cultural Rights Plan 2025–2030, which places equal access to cultural participation at the centre of cultural governance. Rather than focusing exclusively on access to institutions or programmes, the Plan adopts a broader understanding of inclusion that encompasses participation, representation and the reduction of structural inequalities affecting different social groups.
Within this framework, cultural policies increasingly address barriers related to socioeconomic conditions, migration, ethnicity, disability, territorial disparities and other intersecting forms of exclusion. The Plan promotes measures aimed at strengthening participation among underrepresented communities, improving accessibility, integrating cultural rights into public policies and fostering cooperation between cultural institutions, social organisations and local communities.
Particular emphasis is placed on territorial equity and proximity-based cultural action. Public policies seek to reduce disparities in access to cultural resources across regions and to reinforce local cultural ecosystems through community-based approaches. In this context, initiatives increasingly support cultural mediation, collaborative governance mechanisms and participatory practices designed to strengthen connections between institutions and diverse social groups.
The museum and heritage sector has played an important role in this shift. Initiatives such as Museos más sociales [Museums More Social] promote the concept of the “inclusive museum” as an institution that contributes to social cohesion and actively addresses exclusion, discrimination and inequality. Accessibility and inclusion are thus increasingly understood not only in physical terms, but also as social, interpretative and participatory processes.
This broader approach also extends to artistic practice. Participatory and community-based models are gaining relevance, as illustrated by initiatives such as the DĀD model (Dance Amplified Dimensions), developed by the Choreographic Centre of La Gomera (Canary Islands) over the past 25 years and recently supported by INAEM through the newly created Office for Dance Dissemination (ODD). By combining contemporary dance, social participation and community mediation, the model seeks to broaden access to artistic practice and extend its social and cultural benefits, particularly for vulnerable groups.
At the same time, social inclusion policies are shaped by Spain’s multi-level governance structure and marked territorial diversity. Local governments and civil society organisations play a key role in promoting intercultural dialogue, community participation and inclusion initiatives targeting migrants, ethnic minorities and socially vulnerable populations. Organisations such as the CEPAIM Foundation develop community-based programmes aimed at strengthening coexistence and exchanging practices of intercultural action. Similarly, local cultural initiatives—such as Murcia: Three Cultures or the Raval(s) Festival in Barcelona—illustrate how participatory cultural projects can reinforce community ties, increase the visibility of cultural diversity and create spaces for interaction between different social groups.
Overall, Spanish cultural policy increasingly frames social inclusion as a matter of cultural rights rather than solely an instrument of social intervention. Nevertheless, important challenges remain, particularly regarding unequal access to participation, territorial disparities and the need to ensure that inclusion extends beyond access to enable active participation and representation in cultural life.
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