The promotion of cultural creation has been a central objective of Spanish cultural policy throughout the democratic period. Within this framework, the performing arts and music have consistently received significant public support and remain a major field of cultural intervention after heritage.
Over the past decade, policy priorities have focused on increasing demand, strengthening institutional cooperation and improving territorial balance. Efforts have centred on promoting circulation networks and exchanges across regions, enabling theatre, music, dance and circus productions to reach wider audiences while enhancing the quality of programming at all levels of government.
Institutionally, the creation in 2025 of the Directorate-General for Performing Arts and Music (Royal Decree 1028/2025) marked a significant reform, separating policy design from operational management, which remains under the National Institute for Performing Arts and Music (INAEM). This reorganisation has improved administrative efficiency and sectoral specialisation while maintaining an integrated approach to the performing arts value chain. INAEM continues to manage artistic programmes, foster cooperation with public and private actors, and provide financial support for production, touring and exhibition. Eleven national production units remain within its structure, along with initiatives such as the Inclusion in the Performing Arts Conference Series, while heritage and documentation functions have been transferred to the Directorate-General.
Recent policy developments also reflect a renewed commitment to specific sectors. In particular, greater emphasis has been placed on the circus sector through the Strategic Framework for Circus in Spain (2025–2030), which aims to strengthen artistic creation, professional training, heritage preservation, and both national and international circulation.
The Cultural Rights Plan 2025-2030 reinforces these priorities through targeted measures, including grants for theatre and circus, increased funding for translation and subtitling in co-official languages, and initiatives promoting inclusion and cultural democracy. The Plan also prioritises gender equality, including the objective of achieving 40% representation of women in INAEM programming.
Alongside structural reforms, audience development and access remain key concerns. Digital platforms such as danza.es and teatro.es enhance the visibility of artistic production and facilitate communication between creators and audiences. Programmes supporting inclusion, participation and new cultural uses of public space further reinforce this approach.
In terms of territorial circulation, the PLATEA Programme, implemented by INAEM in collaboration with the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP), plays a central role in supporting stable performing arts seasons in local venues. In recent editions, the programme has expanded to more than 150 venues across most regions, facilitating hundreds of performances and attracting large audiences. It is complemented by additional circulation schemes such as Circo a Escena, Girando por Salas and Danza a Escena, which further promote touring and access to cultural programming nationwide.
Finally, internationalisation and innovation have gained increasing importance. The creation in 2026 of the Office for Dance Dissemination (ODD) reflects renewed efforts to promote Spanish performing arts internationally through initiatives such as professional showcases, residency networks and collaboration with leading centres of artistic research.
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