The Congress was unanimous in its vote to create the Ministry.

The Congress unanimously approved the bill that creates the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage, in its third constitutional process, fulfilling one of the main commitments of the Government in cultural matters.

"This is a historic moment for Chile. The approval of this project is the culmination of a long-standing process, which will finally allow us to have a solid, coordinated and decentralized institutional framework. With this we fulfill one of the main commitments of the Government of President Bachelet in cultural matters. We appreciate the transversal support of the parliamentarians, because this achievement is also possible thanks to their will and commitment, "said Minister of Culture, Ernesto Ottone.

Congress member Roberto Poblete stressed: "Culture is everything, and that is why this ministry is so important. We are happy that this project finally comes to light, after years of waiting, for the broad arts sector, but also for the citizens. "

"I am happy for all the actors, for  artists and for all those who have struggled for years to have this ministry. This is very good news for the country, "said the congress member Ramon Farías.

Now the project will pass through the Constitutional Court, for its later signature and promulgation by the President of the Republic, Michelle Bachelet.

The new Ministry will likely have two sub-secretariats: one for Cultures and Arts, and another for Cultural Heritage, which will also count with a National Cultural Heritage Service. Both institutions will be territorially decentralized with  Regional Ministerial Secretariats and Regional Heritage Directorates. The new ministry will be situated in Valparaiso, becoming thus the first Secretary of State not situated in the capital.

The new Ministry aims to promote and carry out public management in culture based on the public recognition of the cultural diversity of the country, including the recognition of the cultures of indigenous peoples and migrant communities: An Advisory Council of Native Peoples will be created and a representative of the immigrant communities residing in the country will be added to the National Council of Culture, Arts and Heritage, which will increase to 17 members, with representatives from the heritage sector. This increase will also be reflected in the Regional Councils, which will have 13 members each.

The current three sectorial Councils are maintained: Book and Reading, Art and Audiovisual Industry and National Music, within the subsecretary of Cultures and the Arts, which will also host the different art disciplines.

The DIBAM (Directorate of Libraries, Archives and Museums) and the Council of National Monuments (CMN), until now dependent on Mineduc, become part of the new Ministry through the Undersecretariat of Cultural Heritage and the National Service of Cultural Heritage, which will have a Heritage Fund.

Another novelty is that the National Awards of the artistic fields will be approved by the National Council of Cultures, Arts and Heritage.

HISTORICAL PROCESS

The creation of this Ministry is the culmination of a long-standing process of cultural administration for Chile, which leans on actions taken since the return to democracy. From the Garretón commission (during the Patricio Aylwin government), to the Ivelic Commission (during Eduardo Frei's term) and to the creation of the CNCA, National Council for Culture and the Arts  (the government of former president Ricardo Lagos) in 2003. The last stage of the development was the presentation of the of the project during the termof Sebastián Piñera, which was later despatched as Substitute Indication by the current Government of President Bachelet, following a broad process of citizen participation that included an Indigenous Consultation in 2014-2015.

https://ifacca.org/en/news/2017/08/16/congreso-aprueba-proyecto-que-crea-ministerio-de-l/