With a vision that places public space at the center of public policies to bring art to neighborhoods and communities, the Government of Guadalajara consolidated its cultural agenda and the recovery of local infrastructure during its first two years in office. This model, focused on social cohesion and economic development, now has the support of international organizations.
The capital of Jalisco became a pioneer by implementing the Culture 21 Plus agenda of the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG). Likewise, the administration’s community and international engagement was recently recognized in Spain, where Mayor Vero Delgadillo received the ‘Cultural Figure of the Year 2025’ award from the Barcelona School of Management (Pompeu Fabra University), presented by Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni.
Culture in the Streets and Nighttime Revitalization
Through platforms such as the LATE Cultural Festival, the city organized more than 13,000 artistic activities, positively impacting two million people in schools, libraries, theaters, neighborhoods, and avenues.
The Bien de Noche program emerged as the key strategy for the nighttime revitalization of the Historic Center, achieving a cross-cutting benefit that includes:
- Promotion of local talent.
- Generation of economic activity.
- Appropriation of public space through cultural and sports activities.
Under this urban art approach, an average of 150,000 people enjoyed exhibitions and events in public spaces such as the Music Festival, the ArtWeeknd Festival, and the massive international spectacle “Les Girafes – Opérette Animalière.”
Historic Investment and Incentives for the Artistic Ecosystem
To strengthen the city’s creative economy, the municipality operated three strategic financial programs:
| Program | Budget / Support | Impact / Projects |
|---|---|---|
| La Cultura Late | 3.5 million pesos | 131 cultural projects supported over two years. |
| Cuidamos la Cultura | Direct financing | 69 community projects led by networks and cultural agents from Guadalajara. |
| Guadalajara Lee | Co-editions and digital fund | 39 writers and publishing promoters supported through unpublished works. |
The Cuidamos la Cultura initiative stands out for allowing artistic activities to be developed directly from vulnerable areas, recognizing the identity of each neighborhood and directly strengthening bonds of peace among residents.
With this balance, Guadalajara’s public policy demonstrates that the combination of global projection, sustained public investment, and the empowerment of local creators is an effective formula for building a more participatory, safer, and more livable city.
Source: jalisco.quadratin
