The South Baja California Institute of Culture (ISC) celebrated the increasing number of local artists being considered by municipal administrations for participation in various festivities.
Following the participation of a significant number of local artists in the La Paz Carnival, the San José del Cabo Festival, and the La Paz Foundation Day celebrations, as well as in the festivities of the five municipalities, the Institute’s director, Víctor Hugo Caballero Gutiérrez, highlighted the high level of artistic quality in the state.
We experienced it firsthand at the Choyero Fest; the level of artistic quality in the state, especially in the performing arts, is very, very high. Víctor Caballero, Director of the South Baja California Institute of Culture
He stated that the presentation of national or international artists doesn’t need much promotion; they already have fame and experience, and wherever they perform, they will be a focal point. Therefore, it is commendable that public administrations are fostering the participation and artistic development of their communities and their professional associations, as was seen at the La Paz Carnival and the Choyero Fest.
He commented that the increase in resources for culture and the redistribution of resources during the current state administration are also important, since previously there was a very electoral focus, with resources directed toward large urban areas.
Some places have a higher population density than others, but in the depth of their history, in the historical importance of their cultural and traditional activities for the state, all communities are equally important.
He recalled the historical debt owed to the communities in the northern part of the state, from the municipality of Comondú northward, because for years those municipalities hadn’t received a single peso for culture, and everything was concentrated in La Paz. To such an extent, in Los Cabos, the ISC (Instituto de Cultura del Estado de San Luis) was known as the La Paz Institute of Culture.
He mentioned that there isn’t enough money for all the state’s cultural projects, but funding has increased between 200% and 300%, resulting in more cultural activities and more beneficiaries.
Caballero stated that with a year and a half remaining in this state administration, his goal is to hand over a much better ISC than the one they inherited, and the idea is that whoever succeeds will continue in the same vein, so that it evolves.
He pointed out that the ISC’s operating budget increased from six million pesos at the beginning of Professor Víctor Manuel Castro Cosío’s administration to 25 or 30 million, indicating that around 80% of it is generated and distributed through grant competitions.
“The budget has truly been made available to the community. Specialized committees select the best projects, and this has allowed us to manage things more transparently. We’ve had the governor’s political and financial support to progressively increase the budgets, and obviously, one would always like to have double or triple the amount, but the truth is, there has been a significant improvement,” he concluded.
Source: oem
