Ley Orgánica de Cultura y su aplicabilidad en la ordenanza para el fomento de las artes, la cultura, la creatividad y la innovación en Ambato”

Abstract

This research analyzes the applicability of the Organic Law of Culture in the municipal ordinance for the promotion of arts, culture, creativity, and innovation in Ambato. While the national law provides a solid normative framework to guarantee cultural rights, its effective implementation depends on local policies that translate these principles into tangible actions. The ordinance approved by Ambato’s municipal council in 2024 represents a meaningful effort to adapt the law's vision to the territorial context, promoting participation, inclusion, and the growth of creative industries. The study employs a quantitative approach, using surveys targeted at cultural managers, artists, and beneficiaries of cultural programs. Findings reveal that although there is normative alignment between the national law and the local ordinance, structural challenges remain: insufficient funding, deteriorated cultural infrastructure, and weak audience development. The gap between legal discourse and practical enforcement underscores the urgent need to strengthen cultural governance and financing mechanisms. In conclusion, Ambato’s ordinance is a valuable tool but still insufficient to fully realize cultural rights. Culture must cease being a distant ideal and become a shared, living experience. This work provides recommendations aimed at enhancing local cultural institutions and consolidating a more coherent, participatory, and sustainable management model.