Ribeira Grande is privileged to have a cultural center beyond simple cultural value: the Contemporary Arts Center is a real treasure that benefits the municipality and the entire island of São Miguel. This center represents a window into the world of contemporary arts, offering a space where the creativity and innovation of local, national, and international artists can be explored and where the public has access to a varied and high-quality program.

Everyone must recognize and value this heritage. It is not just an infrastructure but an engine for cultural and economic development, capable of generating a unique dynamic. The Contemporary Arts Center is more than a place for leisure; it is a tool for social transformation, promoting dialogue, reflection, and the exchange of experiences through art. Regarding appreciation, it is important to ensure that this cultural center is constantly fed initiatives and events that can involve and attract more people.

In fact, this year marks the tenth anniversary of the official opening of this “culture factory” since it was on March 29, 2015, precisely on the day that the liberalization of airspace in the Azores was inaugurated, that the Arquipélago – Centro de Artes Contemporâneas opened its doors, focused on creation and art creators, emerging to boost transdisciplinary actions. Even with the coordination of the Centre in the transitory hands of Ricardo Esperanço, we have witnessed the brilliant dynamization of the spaces, and it is hoped that the date will be another stimulus for the dissemination and production of culture, whether in the visual arts, audiovisual arts or performing arts.

The cultural offer made to locals and tourists has had the power to involve the community and boost new creative projects and cultural entrepreneurship.

Undoubtedly, if there is one thing that can help consolidate Ribeira Grande as a cultural hub on the island, it is the full use and appreciation of this space. This space should be praised because it is a vital resource for culture, for the development and strengthening of the identity of the Azorean soul.

Ribeira Grande has this privileged reference space for reflection and knowledge in the different artistic areas and a focus on training, communication, and social responsibility. It creates audiences that feel interested in contemporary art and culture and are eager for cultural consumption that boosts national and international artistic creation and production.

The Azores are undoubtedly proud to be recognized as a privileged nature destination and for their growing cultural offerings. In a world where cultural tourism is booming, the region must take advantage of this global trend and invest in diversifying its tourism offer. The Contemporary Arts Centre, in particular, is an important instrument for boosting and enriching this offer, providing visitors with a unique cultural experience beyond its landscape’s traditional lush attractions.

The Archipelago has attracted tourists interested in contemporary art and has also contributed to strengthening the Azores’ cultural identity by offering a space where local, national, and international artistic expressions intersect.

This type of tourism enriches visitors’ experiences and favors the Azores’ economic and social development, generating new opportunities for artists, cultural sector professionals, and local commerce. It also gives the inhabitants of Ribeira Grande and the island the chance to connect with contemporary art.

By investing in cultural tourism, the Azores can stand out with the Archipelago, a must-visit place for those seeking authentic cultural immersion. The Contemporary Arts Centre is undoubtedly a key element in this process, and its promotion and enhancement must be a priority for the Regional Government if it wants to consolidate the Region as a cultural reference point in the Atlantic.

Contemporary art is undoubtedly a crucial development factor for Ribeira Grande, contributing to its cultural identity and social and economic growth. The integration of modern art into the city’s daily life through the Contemporary Arts Center brings a dynamism that should be valued because Arquipélago represents a point of innovation and dialogue with the present, allowing the city and the municipality to assert itself as a place of cultural vanguard.

In addition to enriching the municipality’s cultural offer, contemporary art serves as an engine of transformation, stimulating creativity and critical thinking by opening up space for the expression of new ideas and languages, so the city is thus promoting an environment where art becomes a reflection of contemporary issues, encouraging the public to reflect on today’s world and their relationship with it.

Investment in contemporary art diversifies Ribeira Grande’s economy and strengthens its position as a cultural hub in the archipelago. Thus, contemporary art effectively becomes a vital factor in the city’s sustainable and integrated development, contributing to its future as a cultural destination of excellence.

António Pedro Costa is a columnist for Correio dos Açores, a published author, and a retired public servant.

We thank the Luso-American Education Foundation for their support.