Políticas públicas de cultura: um estudo na região do Vale do Rio Doce e Vale do Aço - Minas Gerais

Abstract

According to the Federal Constitution of 1988, the National System of Culture, organized through collaboration, in a decentralized and participatory manner, establishes a process of management and joint promotion of democratic and permanent public policies in the cultural domain. These policies are agreed upon by the different levels of government and society, with the aim of promoting human, social, and economic development through the full exercise of cultural rights (Art. 216-A, included by Constitutional Amendment No. 71, 2012). In this context, this study addresses the subject matter and justifies the relevance of the research, as it contributes to the discussion on cultural public policies. The general objective of this study was to provide an overview of cultural public policies in the regions of Vale do Aço and Vale do Rio Doce in Minas Gerais, specifically focusing on four of the main municipalities in these regions. The specific objectives were to analyze the influence of cultural policies in the region and their relationship with the cultural, economic, and educational sectors from the perspective of municipal public managers. The research predominantly employed a qualitative approach, specifically a case study design, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews with sector employees. The content analysis method with pre-defined categories was used to analyze the interviews. Among the main findings, it was observed that cultural public policies are crucial for strengthening and preserving the cultural identity of these regions, while also contributing to their economic and social development. The diverse perspectives of the research participants suggest that cities have different approaches and strategies regarding social and cultural challenges. Therefore, it is important to respect and consider these different perspectives while simultaneously combining efforts and seeking integrated and contextualized solutions to the social problems faced in each locality.