Two milestones in one: Copiapó now has its first Artists' Catalog and Community Cultural Fund.

The Chamber Hall was the setting for a milestone in the cultural development of the community, with the launch of the first Artists' Catalog of Copiapó and the Municipal Cultural Fund "Cultural Focus 2026," two initiatives promoted by the Municipality of Copiapó through its Department of Culture, Tourism, and Heritage. "We have a budget of 85 million pesos for the awarding of up to 20 projects during 2026," emphasized Mayor Maglio Cicardini, referring to Cultural Focus, an unprecedented initiative that will allocate 100% municipal resources to finance artistic and cultural projects for creation and training during the current year. On the other hand, the Artists' Catalog aims to highlight local talent, facilitating the creation of profiles that allow creators and groups to promote their work, as well as generate new networks and development opportunities.

The event brought together more than a hundred people, including artists, cultural managers, authorities, and representatives from the local cultural scene, who participated in an informative session that concluded with a discussion aimed at addressing questions. "I am very grateful for these initiatives being offered to the artists of Copiapó. It is something we have been waiting for a long time.

There are many proposals and people; it is very important to reach more vulnerable sectors and give space to emerging artists because art is an area that allows us to set aside, perhaps, bad practices and open new scenarios," valued singer-songwriter Valentina Figueroa ("Kinika"). During the event, the team from the Department of Culture, Tourism, and Heritage explained the step-by-step process for creating profiles in the catalog and applying for the competitive fund, as well as addressing questions and generating a space for direct dialogue with attendees. With these initiatives, the municipality reaffirms its commitment to democratizing access to culture, strengthening local artistic development, and generating new opportunities for creators in Copiapó.

Those who could not attend can review all the information and access the registration and application processes on the website www. culturacopiapo. cl.