Mexican Secretariat of Culture
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| Mexican Secretariat of Culture | |
|---|---|
| Name | Secretariat of Culture |
| Native name | Secretaría de Cultura |
| Formation | 2015 |
| Preceding1 | National Council for Culture and Arts |
| Headquarters | Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City |
| Minister1 name | (Current Secretary) |
Mexican Secretariat of Culture
The Secretariat of Culture is the federal department responsible for cultural policy, heritage preservation, promotion of the arts, and coordination with national and international cultural institutions. It interfaces with central sites such as the Palacio de Bellas Artes, collaborates with state-level entities like the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia and partners with museums, libraries, and universities across Mexico. The Secretariat oversees a wide network including archives, theatres, and festivals, and engages with global organizations such as UNESCO, Organisation of Ibero-American States, and the United Nations.
History
The institutional lineage began with the Dirección General de Bellas Artes and evolved through the establishment of the Consejo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes which coordinated cultural policy during administrations including Miguel de la Madrid, Carlos Salinas de Gortari, Ernesto Zedillo, Vicente Fox, Felipe Calderón, and Enrique Peña Nieto. The formal creation of the Secretariat in 2015 during the presidency of Enrique Peña Nieto signaled an elevation parallel to ministries such as the Secretariat of Education and Secretariat of Tourism. Historical antecedents connect to cultural institutions like the Museo Nacional de Antropología, the Biblioteca Nacional de México, and the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura, with legacy projects from figures such as Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, Octavio Paz, and Carlos Fuentes. The Secretariat inherited programs initiated under cultural ministers and directors linked to personalities including Rafael Tovar y de Teresa, Alejandro Encinas, and others who negotiated major restorations at landmarks like the Templo Mayor and festivals like the Festival Internacional Cervantino.
Organization and Structure
The Secretariat's internal structure comprises general directorates and decentralized agencies that coordinate with institutions such as the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia, Biblioteca Vasconcelos, and national museums including the Museo Soumaya and Museo Tamayo. It maintains administrative ties with state secretariats of culture in entities like Jalisco, Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Yucatán. Operational units oversee archives such as the Archivo General de la Nación and cultural centers like the Centro Cultural Universitario Tlatelolco and Centro Cultural Mexiquense. Governance involves advisory councils with participation from academies like the Academia Mexicana de la Lengua, arts unions such as the Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Música, and collaborations with universities including the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, and the Universidad de Guadalajara.
Functions and Responsibilities
Mandates include protection of tangible heritage like the Zona Arqueológica de Teotihuacan, intangible heritage listed with UNESCO (e.g., Danza de los Voladores, Música tradicional mexicana), promotion of contemporary arts linked to institutions such as the Centro Nacional de las Artes, and regulation of cultural industries including film through the Instituto Mexicano de Cinematografía and book policy involving publishers like Fondo de Cultura Económica. The Secretariat administers national awards and recognitions such as the Premio Cervantes, Premio Nacional de Ciencias y Artes, and supports festivals such as the Feria Internacional del Libro de Guadalajara and Festival Internacional Cervantino. It enforces heritage protection laws like the Ley Federal sobre Monumentos y Zonas Arqueológicos, Artísticos e Históricos and collaborates with judicial and administrative bodies including the Suprema Corte de Justicia de la Nación and Consejo de la Judicatura Federal when needed.
Programs and Initiatives
Key initiatives range from conservation projects at sites like Chichén Itzá and Palenque to outreach programs partnering with cultural figures such as Silvia Pinal, Luis Buñuel retrospectives, and exhibitions featuring works by Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, David Alfaro Siqueiros, José Clemente Orozco, and Rufino Tamayo. Educational and community programs engage museums like the Museo Frida Kahlo, orchestras such as the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional, and festivals including Vive Latino and Corona Capital. The Secretariat supports film festivals like the Morelia International Film Festival, publishing initiatives with houses like Siglo XXI Editores, and heritage digitization in partnership with technology firms and archives such as the Archivo General de la Nación and the Biblioteca Nacional de México. It runs grant programs, artist residencies, and heritage emergency responses similar to collaborations with the Protección Civil and conservation teams involved with restorations on the Catedral Metropolitana.
Budget and Funding
Funding sources include allocations from the federal budget approved by the Cámara de Diputados and oversight by the Cámara de Senadores, audited by the Auditoría Superior de la Federación. Budgetary decisions affect programs in major cultural states like Ciudad de México, Jalisco, and Nuevo León, and impact institutions such as the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Museo Nacional de Antropología, and the Biblioteca Vasconcelos. The Secretariat also receives private sponsorships from corporations, foundations such as the Fundación Carlos Slim, and international funds from organizations like UNESCO and the World Bank for heritage projects. Financial controversies have arisen over allocations to large projects versus community programs, influencing debates in legislative bodies including committees of the Cámara de Diputados.
International Relations and Cultural Diplomacy
The Secretariat engages in cultural diplomacy through partnerships with foreign ministries such as the Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores, participation in multilateral forums including UNESCO and the Organisation of Ibero-American States, and bilateral cultural exchanges with countries like Spain, France, United States, Cuba, Argentina, Peru, Brazil, China, and Japan. It supports Mexico's entries to UNESCO lists, collaborates with foreign museums like the Musée du Louvre, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and British Museum, and coordinates programs with embassies and consulates. Initiatives include touring exhibitions, artist exchanges with institutions such as the Goethe-Institut, Instituto Cervantes, and cultural agreements negotiated at summits including the Summit of the Americas.
Criticism and Controversies
Critiques focus on budgetary priorities debated in forums like the Cámara de Diputados and public controversies involving high-profile restorations at sites such as Palacio de Bellas Artes and the handling of collections from institutions like the Museo de Arte Moderno. Debates involve cultural policy decisions affecting indigenous communities in regions like Chiapas, Oaxaca, and Yucatán and disputes over repatriation linked to collections housed in the British Museum and Museo Nacional de Antropología. Administrative controversies have included leadership changes that drew attention from media outlets and commentators referencing figures such as Rafael Tovar y de Teresa and legislative oversight by the Auditoría Superior de la Federación.