Expanding Arts and Cultural Management Practices: The Development Journey of Galería CIMA in Santiago, Chile

This thesis explores the development process of Galería CIMA (Peak Gallery), a small-scale independent cultural organisation that became a key political actor during the Chilean social uprising (2019-2020). It examines how this cultural organisation, located in ‘Plaza Dignidad’ (Dignity Square), the symbolic centre of Santiago, Chile, developed before, during, and after the country's most significant social movement of recent decades. Through a comprehensive examination of organisational dynamics and practices from 2016 to 2022, this study provides new insights into the formation process of Galería CIMA, its role as a key political actor during the revolt, and its impact on the field of arts and cultural management, specifically in terms of organisational development and strategies for navigating political challenges. Through an in-depth qualitative study using visual methods, in-depth interviews, participant observation, and secondary data analysis, this study sheds light on the complex practices that contribute to the organisation's key role and resilience within the challenging context of Chilean neoliberalism and its subsequent crisis. In addition, this research uncovers strategies that can inspire and guide other cultural organisations facing similar challenges while highlighting how small-scale independent cultural organisations, such as Galería CIMA, can become influential political actors and catalysts for social change through creative practices. In contrast to prevailing research, which focuses mainly on functional aspects, this study adopts a process-based perspective, delving into the complex social and emotional dimensions of arts and cultural management dynamics. Overall, this thesis contributes to the field of arts and cultural management by providing new insights into the development process and political engagement of small independent arts and cultural organisations from Latin America, offering new perspectives for understanding the internal dynamics of independent cultural organisations.