Cali | Colombia - CREATIVE TOURISM NETWORK®

Santiago de Cali: A Multicultural Canvas of Media Arts and Creative Tourism:

Nestled in the southwest of Colombia, Santiago de Cali pulses with the energy of a city shaped by migration, innovation, and artistic collaboration. Long recognized as the urban and cultural heart of the region, Cali has evolved into a vibrant mosaic of identities—each contributing to a rich tapestry of creative expression. For visitors, it offers not just a destination, but a dynamic encounter with living culture.

Driven by its industrial legacy and modernizing spirit, Cali has become a beacon for creative industries, particularly in visual arts, performing arts, and digital innovation. Today, its thriving media arts sector generates over US$ 1.7 million annually and contributes 2.2% to the regional GDP—a testament to the city’s creative vitality and its potential as a cultural tourism hotspot.

Truca Festival: Animation as a Cultural Experience
Cali proudly hosts Truca Festival, Colombia’s first and only event dedicated exclusively to animation. Co-organized by five universities, this festival transforms the city into a playground of imagination, where local and international experts lead workshops in experimental animation, transmedia storytelling, performative arts, and film. For creative tourists, Truca offers a rare opportunity to engage with cutting-edge media arts while discovering the city’s youthful, collaborative spirit.

Creative Grants and Cultural Infrastructure
Since the 1990s, media arts have been a catalyst for social transformation in Cali. Initiatives like the Estimulos grant empower artists and cultural entrepreneurs to explore digital arts through residencies, exhibitions, and production labs. These programmes not only support local talent but also invite visitors to witness and participate in the city’s creative evolution.

Cali’s Culture Plan 2028 reinforces this vision by promoting intercultural dialogue, freedom of expression, and access to cultural goods. It positions creativity as a cornerstone of sustainable development, strengthening ties among local stakeholders and opening pathways for international cooperation.

Cali’s Vision as a UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts
As a proud member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, Santiago de Cali is committed to:

Embedding creativity in policy to ensure culture remains central to urban planning and sustainable development.

For creative tourists, Santiago de Cali offers more than a visit—it’s an invitation to co-create, to learn, and to be inspired by a city where media arts are woven into the social fabric. Whether attending a workshop, exploring digital installations, or engaging with local artists, every experience becomes part of a shared narrative of innovation and inclusion.

Expanding the creative ecosystem through research, production, and circulation of media arts and related sectors.

Fostering inclusive participation by bringing media arts into public spaces, especially in underserved communities, transforming plazas and townships into creative laboratories.