Barcelona as a cultural engine: How to promote, establish, and grow culture?

In a recent meeting with key figures from Barcelona's cultural sector, discussions centered on how the city can enhance its role as a cultural powerhouse with a global impact. Maria Serrat, General Director of the Conservatori Liceu Foundation; Helena Oller, Product Manager at Filmin; Joan Anton, gallerist and Director of Sala Parés since 1987; and Martín Pérez, CEO of Concert Studio, shared their insights on leveraging Barcelona's artistic wealth to solidify its position as a cultural benchmark. These experts proposed various strategies, including supporting culture through philanthropy and sponsorships, while addressing challenges such as creating channels to connect local talent with the city's audiences, highlighting the intangible value of culture, and linking culture to the formation of identity.ia Serrat, directora general de la Fundación Conservatori Liceu; Helena Oller, Product Manager en Filmin; Joan Anton, galerista y director de la Sala Parés desde 1987; y Martín Pérez, CEO de Concert Studio, compartieron ideas sobre cómo aprovechar la riqueza artística de Barcelona para fortalecer su rol como referente cultural. Estos expertos plantean diversas estrategias que incluyen el apoyo a la cultura desde la filantropía, los patrocinios, pero que chocan con retos como la creación de canales que unan el talento local y el público de la ciudad, la puesta en valor de los intangibles de la cultura y la vinculación de la cultura con la creación de identidad.

Culture, as agreed by the speakers, is a universal language that transcends borders. Barcelona, with its cultural DNA, holds a profound sense of identity and social cohesion through its artistic expressions. Culture fosters reflection and connects the past with the present, prompting us to consider what we want to become. However, the current challenge lies in integrating culture into the daily lives of citizens so that everyone can benefit from its impact, which unifies society and stimulates other sectors. 

To achieve this, we must highlight the intangible aspects of culture—the contributions it makes to the city beyond measurable elements, which are equally or even more important. Creativity, identity, the generation of emotions, and a sense of belonging are both the cause and effect of a culturally rich city. Barcelona has the opportunity and responsibility to democratize culture, ensuring it is not something distant from its citizens and visitors, but rather a driver of progress accessible to everyone.

In this regard, philanthropy and corporate contributions play a key role in this cultural renaissance. The speakers emphasized how major patrons, individuals, and companies drive culture forward by believing in its value to build a better society. A strong support network is essential for cultural projects to thrive and achieve greater economic sustainability. Furthermore, a balance between public and private support is crucial to consolidating the sector, and Barcelona is ideally positioned to enhance these collaborations, enabling broader access to and enjoyment of culture.

Another key point highlighted by the speakers to elevate the value of culture within Barcelona's society is its inclusion in educational plans. Barcelona boasts an excellent foundation of committed artists, and fostering this cultural vocation through education is vital for future generations to maintain a connection with art and culture. Providing young people with the tools and nurturing their passion for art will enable them to become the driving force behind local and global culture. This requires integrating art into classrooms and ensuring artists engage directly with students, sharing not only their techniques but also their enthusiasm and love for their craft.

Finally, bridging the gap between artists and the audience is a vital strategy to spark interest and participation. As the experts noted, when the audience transitions from being passive observers to active participants in the creative process, a profound connection with the work emerges. Fortunately, Barcelona is home to galleries, museums, concert halls, auditoriums, and theaters that make culture more accessible, integrated into daily life, and approachable, fostering in society the desire to experience it and help it grow.

The speakers shared the vision that culture inspires, unifies, and brings significant value to the city. Barcelona has the opportunity to become a cultural engine, an attractive space for the creation and consumption of cultural products. This opportunity is not only economic but also a chance to reflect on how we want to project ourselves externally and the kind of life we want for the people who live in and shape Barcelona. 

In conclusion, Barcelona faces the challenge of ensuring the economic sustainability of the cultural sector through public contributions and collaboration with individuals and private companies, as well as positioning culture as a driving force for identity building and the city's revitalization.

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