2. Current cultural affairs
Spain
Last update: September, 2026
The political shift marked by the Socialist Party’s rise to power in June 2018 introduced a renewed emphasis on cultural diversity within Spain’s policy agenda. Early initiatives included the advancement of proposals related to the Artist’s Statute [Estatuto del Artista], the development of new heritage legislation, the promotion of co-official languages, and reforms to the National Institute of Performing Arts and Music (INAEM).
The COVID‑19 pandemic (2020–2021) had a profound impact on the cultural sector, leading to prolonged closures of cultural institutions and significant disruptions to cultural production and participation[1]. At the European level, the response took the form of the NextGenerationEU recovery package, designed to support economic recovery while accelerating ecological and digital transitions. Through the Recovery and Resilience Facility, Spain’s Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (PRTR) was allocated approximately 163 billion euro for the period 2021–2026. The Plan combines reforms and investments and has evolved progressively, from emergency recovery measures in 2021 to targeted support for the audiovisual sector and digitalisation (2022–2023), and more recently to issues related to cultural rights, artificial intelligence, and long-term post-pandemic stabilisation (from 2024 onwards).
The post-pandemic period has also been characterised by persistent socio-economic pressures, including inflation and rising living costs, alongside increasing political and social polarisation. The spread of misinformation and hate speech through digital platforms has contributed to the normalisation of exclusionary discourses, often framed within broader “culture wars”. In Spain, these dynamics have intersected with renewed public debates on historical memory, particularly in relation to the Civil War and the Franco dictatorship.
In response, civil society actors and public institutions have reinforced democratic memory policies. Notable measures include the exhumation of Francisco Franco (2019) and José Antonio Primo de Rivera (2023), as well as initiatives to transform the former Valle de los Caídos into Valle de Cuelgamuros as a site of democratic remembrance. These actions aim to address historical revisionism and promote democratic values and intergenerational justice. Public debate has also intensified around the implementation of the 2022 Democratic Memory Act and its implications.
Environmental challenges have increasingly intersected with cultural policy agendas. While political responses remain diverse, recent initiatives have promoted more integrated approaches linking culture, sustainability and resilience. The response to the 2024 DANA floods in Valencia, including cultural reconstruction measures supporting affected workers and institutions, illustrates the growing recognition of culture within broader sustainability frameworks aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda and UNESCO priorities. Spain has also supported international efforts to strengthen the role of culture in global development debates, including those linked to MONDIACULT 2025.
Finally, technological transformation, particularly the rise of generative artificial intelligence, has created new challenges for cultural production and creative labour. Concerns regarding intellectual property, artistic authenticity and working conditions reflect broader uncertainties about the future of cultural work. In this context, the Artists’ Statute remains a central policy instrument aimed at improving working conditions and strengthening the social protection of cultural professionals.
[1] Murciano, M. & Saavedra, C. G. (2021) ‘Industrias creativas y culturales en España: efectos de la COVID-19 sobre la economía y el empleo cultural’. Monograma. Revista Iberoamericana de Cultura y Pensamiento, n.º 9, pp. 187-210. https://ddd.uab.cat/pub/artpub/2021/249220/monrevibe_a2021n9p187.pdf
Last update: September, 2026
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
Last update: September, 2026
In recent years, artists and cultural professionals in Spain have faced persistent challenges, including precarious working conditions, economic instability, concerns related to intellectual property and, more recently, debates on artistic freedom. These issues have generated sustained discussion within the sector and prompted collective responses from professional organisations advocating improved working conditions and stronger recognition of cultural rights.
In response, the Artist’s Statute has emerged as a central policy initiative aimed at adapting institutional and regulatory frameworks to the specific characteristics of cultural labour. Developed through a multi-level and interministerial process coordinated by the Ministry of Culture, the initiative seeks to address the structural conditions affecting cultural workers and to recognise the distinctive features of artistic and creative professions.
Recent reforms have focused on improving employment conditions and strengthening social protection mechanisms, taking into account the intermittent and often unstable nature of cultural work. Measures have sought to support more stable employment trajectories, extend protection to a broader range of cultural professionals, and improve social security coverage adapted to irregular work patterns. These developments also reflect a more participatory policy-making process, based on dialogue between public institutions and cultural stakeholders.
The ongoing development of the Statute addresses several key areas, including labour conditions, taxation adapted to income volatility, social protection for self-employed workers, artistic education and the recognition of professional rights. Increasing attention is also being given to emerging forms of cultural labour in digital environments and evolving professional practices within the cultural and creative industries.
Despite these advances, significant challenges remain. The rapid expansion of generative artificial intelligence has raised ethical, legal and economic concerns regarding authorship, remuneration and the potential impact of automation on creative work. In this context, public debate has increasingly focused on the need to establish safeguards that protect creators while supporting innovation and technological development. Reflecting these concerns, in 2024 the Ministry of Culture adopted a Guide to Good Practices on Artificial Intelligence, which provides recommendations for the use of AI in cultural awards, grants and public procurement. The guide emphasizes transparency, respect for intellectual property rights and human oversight, and recommends that works created entirely by generative AI should not be eligible for National Awards, while allowing AI to be used as a supporting tool within creative processes.
Last update: September, 2026
Spanish cultural policy in the field of digital culture has evolved from an initial focus on content industries and intellectual property protection towards a broader framework centred on digital transformation, innovation and creative ecosystems. Current approaches emphasise access, experimentation and the integration of culture within wider digital economy strategies.
Public policy combines support for digital cultural production with initiatives to expand access and strengthen infrastructures. Programmes such as eBiblio, which provides free access to digital reading materials through public libraries, illustrate the growing role of digital services in widening cultural participation. Earlier measures focused on combating piracy and promoting legal access to content; these have progressively evolved into more comprehensive strategies aimed at supporting sustainable digital markets, digital literacy and user engagement.
Support for digital creativity increasingly operates through collaborative spaces and innovation centres. Established initiatives such as ArtFutura and OFFF Barcelona remain important reference points connecting digital art, design and audiovisual culture. Production and research centres such as Hangar (Barcelona) and LABoral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial (Gijón) provide infrastructure for artistic experimentation in technology-based practices. At the same time, participatory models have gained prominence through initiatives such as Medialab Prado (Madrid) and Hirikilabs (San Sebastián), which promote collaborative creation, open innovation and citizen engagement in digital cultural processes.
Territorially, digital culture policy is increasingly structured through regional ecosystems and specialised clusters, including the Land. Audiovisual and Digital Content Cluster of Andalusia, the Audiovisual Hub of Catalonia, and the Audiovisual Hub of the Cultural Industry of Galicia. These initiatives connect cultural production with innovation, training and technological development, reflecting broader efforts to strengthen regional creative economies and support emerging sectors such as videogames, immersive media and digital content creation.
Recent policy debates focus on the implications of artificial intelligence, platformisation and digital sovereignty. In response, the Cultural Rights Plan 2025-2030 incorporates measures to strengthen digital infrastructures, promote open and interoperable technologies and expand access to cultural resources. These include the creation of an Office for Digital Democracy, which provides technical guidance and training for cultural institutions; the development of platforms for the circulation and preservation of digital content; and support for multilingual access and more flexible copyright frameworks.
Additional actions aim to enhance digital participation and preserve cultural diversity, including the consolidation of digital heritage infrastructures such as PARES, museum documentation systems (DOMUS and CER.es), and the Spanish Web Archive. The Plan also supports digital cultural creation through initiatives such as the introduction of a National Video Game Award, the expansion of digital skills programmes (e.g. DigitARTE), and the provision of resources for community-based digital creation.
Finally, the Spanish Agency for Cultural Action (AC/E) contributes to the analysis of digital cultural trends through its Annual Report on Digital Culture, which examines evolving practices in the cultural sector. The most recent edition (2026), Mapping the Use of AI in Spanish-language Digital Creation, highlights the growing impact of artificial intelligence and the increasing segmentation of cultural consumption, raising new challenges for cultural policy and governance.
Last update: September, 2026
Intercultural dialogue in Spain has progressively evolved from a predominantly state-led model towards a multi-level framework involving public institutions, local authorities, civil society organisations and cultural actors. Today, intercultural initiatives increasingly intersect with broader debates on cultural rights, diversity, migration, social inclusion and democratic participation.
At the national level, cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and the Autonomous Communities remains central, while implementation is increasingly carried out through local institutions and community-based initiatives. Museums, libraries, cultural centres and civic spaces play a growing role in promoting participation and inclusion, particularly in contexts shaped by cultural diversity and migration. Programmes such as More Social Museums [Museos más sociales] contribute to improving accessibility and reinforcing the role of museums as spaces for social cohesion and cultural exchange. Within this framework, the concept of the “intercultural museum” has gained prominence, referring to institutions that foster interaction between cultures and social groups while strengthening the intercultural dimension of cultural heritage.
Recent policy developments have also emphasised the need to reassess museum narratives and collections through more inclusive and critical perspectives, particularly in national institutions such as the National Museum of Anthropology and the Museum of the Americas. Framed within the Cultural Rights Plan 2025–2030, these initiatives aim to diversify historical representations, incorporate underrepresented perspectives and broaden approaches to heritage interpretation.
At the international level, Spain maintains an active role in Euro-Mediterranean cooperation through institutions and networks dedicated to cultural exchange and dialogue. The European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed), based in Barcelona, operates as a platform for research, debate and cooperation across the Mediterranean region, promoting knowledge exchange, training and civil society participation.
Spain also plays an important role in the Anna Lindh Foundation, a key organisation fostering intercultural dialogue across Europe and the Mediterranean. Through the Spanish Anna Lindh Network, which brings together around 160 civil society organisations, initiatives are developed to promote mutual understanding, strengthen coexistence in diversity and encourage participation in plural democratic societies, particularly among younger generations.
Similarly, the Three Cultures Foundation, created through collaboration between the Andalusian Government and the Kingdom of Morocco, serves as a significant platform for cooperation between Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Its activities focus on dialogue, cultural exchange and the promotion of mutual understanding across regions with strong historical and cultural ties.
Last update: September, 2026
Intercultural education in Spain is developed through both curricular provisions and broader educational and cultural policies. Rather than existing as a standalone subject, intercultural perspectives are integrated transversally across all educational stages, linked to wider objectives such as inclusion, democratic citizenship, cultural diversity, equality and social cohesion. Within Spain’s decentralised institutional framework, responsibility for intercultural education is shared between the central government and the Autonomous Communities, which hold extensive competences in curriculum design and implementation.
At the national level, the main framework is established by Organic Law 2/2006 on Education, as amended by Organic Law 3/2020 (LOMLOE). This legislation places strong emphasis on inclusive education, respect for diversity and the development of key competences, particularly civic, social and cultural competences. It identifies cultural plurality, equality, non-discrimination and peaceful coexistence as fundamental principles of the education system. As a result, intercultural learning is addressed primarily through cross-curricular competencies and citizenship-oriented objectives, rather than through a distinct discipline.
In practice, intercultural education is largely administered by educational authorities, rather than cultural policy institutions. The Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports defines general principles and curricular frameworks, while the Autonomous Communities are responsible for implementation and often develop complementary programmes adapted to their social, linguistic and cultural contexts. Local authorities and schools also play an important role through school-based projects and collaboration with cultural organisations and civil society actors.
The main objectives of intercultural education include promoting equality and inclusion, fostering understanding of cultural diversity, encouraging multilingualism, preventing discrimination and social exclusion, and strengthening democratic participation and coexistence. These approaches aim to balance shared constitutional values with the recognition of cultural and linguistic plurality. In practice, intercultural education reflects both the growing diversity associated with migration and the coexistence of multiple linguistic and cultural identities within Spain.
Recent curricular reforms have also incorporated broader frameworks of global citizenship education, integrating competences related to human rights, sustainable development, democratic values, gender equality and cultural diversity. Subjects linked to civic and ethical education, reinforced under recent reforms, play a key role in advancing these objectives.
Arts and cultural education constitute an important channel for intercultural learning. Curricula in music, visual arts, literature and performing arts increasingly include references to diverse cultural traditions and seek to promote recognition of cultural diversity as a defining feature of contemporary society. In regions with strong linguistic identities, intercultural approaches are often closely linked to multilingual education policies.
Beyond the formal curriculum, a wide range of initiatives developed by schools, cultural institutions and third-sector organisations contribute to the development of intercultural competences. Museums, libraries and cultural centres implement programmes aimed at fostering dialogue between diverse communities, while artistic mediation, participatory cultural projects and artist residencies in schools are increasingly used to support intercultural understanding and engagement.
In addition, Spain participates in various international and European initiatives that reinforce intercultural education. These include the UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet), which promotes global citizenship, intercultural dialogue and sustainable development, and Erasmus+ programmes, which support projects focused on cultural exchange, inclusion and youth participation. National initiatives such as the Intercultural Community Intervention (ICI) Project and mentoring programmes like Rossinyol further contribute to fostering coexistence and intercultural learning at the local level.
Despite these developments, implementation remains uneven across territories and institutions. The decentralised structure of the education system allows adaptation to local contexts but also generates differences in priorities, resources and pedagogical approaches. As a result, intercultural education continues to evolve through the interaction between national frameworks, regional policies and broader societal debates.
Last update: September, 2026
Responsibility for media policy in Spain is institutionally distinct from cultural policy, although important intersections remain in areas such as audiovisual production, linguistic diversity and public service media. While the Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts (ICAA) continues to support audiovisual creation and distribution, broader media regulation increasingly operates within digital communication and telecommunications frameworks.
Spain’s media landscape combines national, regional, public and private operators within a highly decentralised system. Since the 1980s, the Autonomous Communities have developed their own public broadcasting structures, many of which play a key role in promoting regional languages and cultural expression. Public broadcasters in bilingual regions—particularly in Catalonia, the Basque Country and Galicia—continue to function as important instruments for linguistic diversity and cultural representation.
Content diversity and social inclusion have become increasingly central to media policy. Public service media are expected to reflect Spain’s cultural, social and linguistic diversity, while recent initiatives aim to improve representation and accessibility for underrepresented communities. Programmes supporting diversity in audiovisual content and multilingual communication have contributed to broadening participation and visibility across different social groups.
At the national level, recent initiatives increasingly combine the promotion of media pluralism with media literacy and responses to digital disinformation. Public service media organisations have expanded actions aimed at fostering critical engagement with information environments. A key example is VerificaRTVE, a fact-checking and media literacy initiative designed to combat disinformation and strengthen citizens’ critical capacities in digital contexts. RTVE has also developed educational resources and tools to promote digital literacy and responsible media consumption.
The rapid transformation of media environments has shifted policy concerns beyond traditional broadcasting structures. Current debates increasingly focus on digital platforms, media concentration, disinformation, algorithmic visibility, and the sustainability and independence of public service media. These issues have gained additional relevance in the context of European regulatory developments, including the implementation of the European Media Freedom Act and broader initiatives addressing platform governance and digital rights.
Recent assessments continue to identify structural challenges in the Spanish media ecosystem, particularly regarding ownership concentration, political independence and equitable access for minority communities. Questions relating to governance models for public broadcasters, the representation of cultural diversity and the strengthening of media literacy remain central areas of policy discussion.
At the regional level, initiatives promoting diversity and inclusion continue to play an important role. In Catalonia, the Audiovisual Diversity Board [Mesa per a la Diversitat en l'Audiovisual] remains a longstanding mechanism promoting intercultural representation and inclusive media narratives through collaboration between broadcasters, regulators, and civil society organisations. More broadly, regional public broadcasters continue to play an important role in supporting linguistic diversity and strengthening local cultural ecosystems.
Last update: September, 2026
Language policy remains a central component of Spain’s cultural and institutional framework, reflecting its multilingual character. The 1978 Constitution recognises Castilian as the official language of the State, while granting co-official status to other languages in their respective Autonomous Communities, including Catalan, Basque, Galician and Aranese. Other minority languages, such as Asturian and Aragonese, also receive varying degrees of protection. This linguistic framework constitutes a key pillar of Spain’s cultural diversity.
Language policy is primarily implemented at the regional level, particularly in the fields of education and cultural promotion, through bilingual or multilingual models aimed at protecting and normalising co-official languages. At the same time, it entails ongoing challenges related to territorial cohesion, migration and the balance between linguistic rights and nationwide communication.
Three structural dimensions continue to shape this policy area: the intersection between linguistic and cultural policy—especially in cultural industries; the role of language in the integration of migrant populations; and the balance between the promotion of regional languages and the function of Castilian as a shared language, particularly in education. In this context, language policy is also influenced by differences in political priorities across levels of government, which are reflected in varying approaches to funding and institutional support for linguistic diversity. In several Autonomous Communities—particularly the Valencian Community, the Balearic Islands, and Aragon—regional governments led by right-wing (PP) and far-right (Vox) parties have reduced funding and institutional support for language promotion and policies aimed at fostering linguistic pluralism. In response, the central government led by centre-left (PSOE) and left-wing (Sumar) parties has reinforced support for minority languages, including through targeted funding measures.
In recent years, language policy has become increasingly integrated into broader cultural rights frameworks. The Cultural Rights Plan 2025–2030 introduces measures aimed at promoting linguistic diversity and ensuring equitable access to culture across official and recognised languages. These include:
- support for cultural production and dissemination in co-official languages, including grants for literature, audiovisual works and the performing arts;
- funding for translation programmes, both between Spain’s languages and into foreign languages, to enhance circulation and international visibility;
- promotion of multilingual cultural platforms and digital content, ensuring access to cultural resources across diverse linguistic communities;
- strengthening the presence of linguistic diversity in heritage and documentation systems, including museums, archives and digital collections.
In the digital sphere, policy efforts increasingly focus on enhancing the presence of Spain’s languages in technological environments. Public initiatives support the development of language technologies, digital content and data infrastructures, reflecting the growing importance of linguistic diversity in areas such as artificial intelligence and digital communication.
ecent developments also illustrate the continued relevance of language policy within broader governance dynamics. Measures to support minority languages—including increased funding for institutions such as the Aragonese Academy of Language—form part of ongoing efforts to reinforce linguistic diversity and address territorial imbalances, while highlighting the evolving nature of multi-level governance in this field.
Last update: September, 2026
Gender equality has become an increasingly consolidated dimension of cultural policy in Spain, driven by both international developments in the cultural and creative sectors and domestic institutional reforms. Over time, policy approaches have evolved from isolated initiatives towards a more structured framework based on gender mainstreaming across cultural governance.
This evolution is anchored in Organic Law 3/2007 on effective equality between women and men, which introduced gender mainstreaming as a core administrative principle and established Equality Units across ministries. Within the cultural field, this has led to the creation of specialised governance and monitoring structures, including the Gender Equality Committee on Cultural Affairs, the Observatory for Gender Equality in the Cultural Sector, and digital tools such as the Ministry of Culture’s Equality Space (launched in 2017), which provides resources for consultation, visibility and awareness-raising.
A major step forward has been the adoption of the Plan for Equality in Culture (2024–2026), representing a milestone in cultural governance. The Plan aims to ensure gender equality across the cultural sector and to mainstream gender perspectives within the Ministry of Culture and its affiliated bodies. It is embedded within the broader Cultural Rights Plan, reflecting a shift towards a rights-based approach in which equality is considered a fundamental condition for access to and participation in culture.
The Plan is based on a dual strategy combining gender mainstreaming and targeted measures. On the one hand, it integrates gender perspectives across all areas of cultural policy, including funding systems, institutional practices, communication strategies and evaluation frameworks. On the other hand, it maintains specific actions addressing structural inequalities affecting women in the cultural sector. This combined approach reflects the understanding that systemic transformation and corrective interventions are mutually reinforcing[1].
Policy implementation reflects this dual logic. Gender criteria have been progressively incorporated into public funding and procurement procedures, while audiovisual support schemes—particularly through the Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts (ICAA)—include incentives for projects led by women and recognition mechanisms for works promoting gender equality. These measures are complemented by cultural programming initiatives, such as exhibitions dedicated to women artists in state museums and festivals like Ellas Crean [They Create], as well as capacity-building and training programmes for cultural professionals.
Despite these advances, structural inequalities persist. In 2024, women accounted for 40.6% of employment in the cultural sector, compared to 59.4% for men, with significant variation across subsectors. Women are comparatively more represented in libraries, archives, museums and publishing, but remain underrepresented in the music industry and in senior creative and decision-making positions. This pattern reflects ongoing vertical segregation, where high participation in education and entry-level roles does not translate into proportional representation in leadership and authorship.
The current Cultural Rights Plan 2025–2030 further consolidates gender equality as a cross-cutting objective. It strengthens gender-sensitive funding criteria, promotes the collection of sex-disaggregated and intersectional data, reinforces training in gender equality for cultural staff, and introduces measures addressing gender-based violence in cultural and audiovisual environments. These actions extend policy beyond representation, incorporating workplace conditions and structural protection as key dimensions.
At the same time, implementation remains uneven within Spain’s multi-level governance system, reflecting different policy priorities across Autonomous Communities. In addition, digital environments have introduced new challenges, including online harassment and hate speech, which disproportionately affect women in public cultural and creative roles and are increasingly recognised as emerging areas for policy intervention.
[1] Look here for more details: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000395703
Last update: September, 2026
Disability inclusion in cultural policy in Spain has progressively evolved from isolated accessibility initiatives towards a more structured, rights-based approach. While earlier policies focused primarily on physical access and assistive technologies, recent developments reflect a broader understanding of cultural participation as a cultural right, encompassing accessibility, artistic production and institutional inclusion.
An important early milestone was the Comprehensive Strategy of Culture for All (2011), jointly developed by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Health, Social Policy and Equality. The strategy aimed to ensure accessibility to cultural spaces, activities and services; support artistic creation by persons with disabilities; and promote research into technologies facilitating access to cultural content. Its implementation was accompanied by the establishment of the Inclusive Culture Forum, an inter-ministerial platform bringing together public institutions, disability organisations and experts to coordinate and monitor progress.
During the 2017–2020 policy cycle, accessibility became more firmly integrated into cultural administration and programming. Institutions such as the National Institute of Performing Arts and Music (INAEM) expanded initiatives to improve accessibility and participation in the performing arts. These included programmes such as Teatro Accesible [Accessible Theatre], introducing audio description and assistive technologies, and Una mirada diferente [A Different Look], which promotes artistic work by performers with disabilities alongside awareness-raising and training activities.
More recently, disability inclusion has been further consolidated through the Cultural Rights Plan 2025–2030, which positions accessibility as a core dimension of cultural citizenship. The Plan promotes cross-sector coordination and integrates accessibility criteria into funding mechanisms, cultural programming and institutional practices, while reinforcing anti-discrimination measures in public cultural institutions.
Within this framework, INAEM continues to expand its inclusion agenda. The 18th edition of the Inclusion in the Performing Arts Conference (April 2026) focused on themes such as displacement and migration, reflecting an increasingly intersectional approach. In parallel, INAEM is preparing a Plan for Inclusion aimed at unifying institutional policies and aligning them with the objectives of the Cultural Rights Plan. This marks a shift from fragmented initiatives towards a more coherent and transversal inclusion strategy.
Overall, disability policy in the cultural sector has moved from a predominantly technical focus on access towards a broader participatory and rights-based framework. However, implementation remains uneven across institutions and regions, with ongoing challenges related to consistent accessibility standards, sustainable funding and the full inclusion of persons with disabilities not only as audiences, but also as creators, professionals and decision-makers.
Last update: September, 2026
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.
Last update: September, 2026
Recent cultural policy developments in Spain increasingly recognise the contribution of culture to wellbeing, community development and sustainable social transformation. While earlier approaches often framed culture primarily as an instrument for social intervention, current policies place greater emphasis on cultural participation as a right and on the broader social value of cultural experiences.
This shift is reflected in the Cultural Rights Plan 2025–2030, which highlights the relationship between culture, wellbeing and quality of life. The Plan promotes measures aimed at strengthening the social impact of culture through community participation, cultural mediation and collaboration between cultural institutions and sectors such as health, education and social services. It also supports initiatives designed to improve emotional wellbeing, reduce social isolation and facilitate participation among groups in vulnerable situations.
Attention is given to the role of culture in health and care systems. The Plan encourages the development of cultural programmes linked to wellbeing and to social prescribing approaches, while fostering partnerships between cultural institutions and healthcare actors. This reflects a growing recognition of culture not only as a domain of artistic expression, but also as a factor contributing to individual and collective wellbeing.
At the level of programmes and initiatives, schemes such as Cultura y Ciudadanía [Culture and Citizenship] have contributed to shaping national debates on culture, participation and social transformation, with particular attention to community engagement, rural contexts and inclusive practices. Cultural institutions increasingly develop projects exploring the relationship between culture and wellbeing, including initiatives by museums and cultural centres aimed at increasing participation among vulnerable groups and evidencing the benefits of cultural engagement.
Last update: September, 2026
The relationship between culture and sustainable development also represents an evolving area of policy. Although cultural sustainability is not yet fully integrated at all levels of governance, public institutions increasingly recognise culture as a transversal dimension of social cohesion, territorial development and community resilience. In this context, local governments play a particularly important role in linking cultural action to broader social and sustainability objectives.
Much of this development has taken place at the local level, where cultural organisations, foundations and community actors integrate cultural and heritage resources into strategies for social and territorial development. Examples include initiatives led by the Cerezales Antonino y Cinia Foundation, Fundación Santa María de Albarracín, and Fundación Santa María la Real, which combine heritage management, cultural participation and community development approaches.
Overall, cultural policy in Spain increasingly frames culture not only as a sectoral field but as a key contributor to wellbeing and sustainable development. Nevertheless, challenges remain in translating these objectives into stable policy instruments, coordinated governance structures and long-term evaluation frameworks capable of measuring social impact.
The relationship between culture and sustainable development also represents an evolving area of policy. Although cultural sustainability is not yet fully integrated at all levels of governance, public institutions increasingly recognise culture as a transversal dimension of social cohesion, territorial development and community resilience. In this context, local governments play a particularly important role in linking cultural action to broader social and sustainability objectives.
Much of this development has taken place at the local level, where cultural organisations, foundations and community actors integrate cultural and heritage resources into strategies for social and territorial development. Examples include initiatives led by the Cerezales Antonino y Cinia Foundation, Fundación Santa María de Albarracín, and Fundación Santa María la Real, which combine heritage management, cultural participation and community development approaches.
Overall, cultural policy in Spain increasingly frames culture not only as a sectoral field but as a key contributor to wellbeing and sustainable development. Nevertheless, challenges remain in translating these objectives into stable policy instruments, coordinated governance structures and long-term evaluation frameworks capable of measuring social impact.
Last update: September, 2026
Information is currently not available.