Dominican Culture Ministry Expands Reach, Education Nationwide in 2025

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – The Ministry of Culture significantly expanded its reach and educational programs across the Dominican Republic in 2025, driven by a strategy of decentralization and community engagement under Minister Roberto Ángel Salcedo.

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The ministry's efforts broadened the territorial, social, and institutional footprint of culture throughout the country, strengthening the public cultural system.

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More than 3,700 children and adolescents in 15 provinces received artistic education, while the "Escuelas Libres" (Free Schools) program reached over 3,200 students. These initiatives underscored culture's role as a vital tool for education, social inclusion, and community cohesion.

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Several cultural centers were strengthened or inaugurated. These included the School of Fine Arts in Las Terrenas and Puerto Plata, where the Rafelito Román Academy of Traditional Merengue was also opened to preserve the genre. Additionally, a new traditional music school was established at the María Montez Cultural Center in Barahona, and the Music Academy of Santo Domingo Este was launched, bolstering the nation's cultural and educational infrastructure.

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The "Plan Frontera" (Border Plan) emerged as a high-impact strategic initiative, targeting border provinces through diagnostic processes, artistic training, and community support to promote equitable access to culture.

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Community-focused artistic programs like "Calle Cultura" (Culture Street) and "Tardes de Parque" (Park Afternoons) brought cultural expressions to various municipalities. The Santo Domingo Philharmonic Orchestra also performed in several provinces, extending access to symphonic music beyond the capital.

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In terms of cultural infrastructure, the ministry advanced with the renovation and recovery of significant spaces. Strategic projects included transforming the old La Vega casino into a fine arts school and establishing the Music Academy of Santo Domingo Este, laying the groundwork for a broader and more diverse range of artistic training opportunities in communities.

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Minister Salcedo affirmed that culture is a strategic asset for the country's sustainable development. He emphasized its capacity to integrate identity, innovation, productivity, and social well-being, projecting a long-term, national cultural policy vision.