Mexico Invests 1.5B Pesos in Art Schools & Archaeology

Mexico City — Claudia Curiel de Icaza, Mexico's Secretary of Culture, presented the progress on one of the 100 cultural commitments promoted by President Claudia Sheinbaum. The initiative aims for the comprehensive renovation of the art and cultural education schools under the Secretary of Culture.

From last year to March 30, 2026, a comprehensive maintenance plan has been executed with an investment of 1.5 billion pesos, an undertaking not seen in over four decades.

This funding has facilitated the renovation of 1,405 spaces within schools of the National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature (INBAL). The work includes 118 dance studios, 348 academic classrooms, 23 auditoriums, 102 waterproofing projects, and 6 galleries. Additionally, approximately 20,000 musical instruments were purchased, a key request from students, alongside scientific equipment and furniture.

At schools of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), 220 spaces received attention. These include 13 laboratories, 7 hallways, 12 restroom facilities, 1 auditorium, 2 lobbies, and 11 rooftops. "In all these cases, it's also important to mention that this work is accompanied by strengthening the curricula; that is, we are updating the curricula with students and teachers and doing comprehensive work to expand enrollment and create more spaces for arts education," stated Curiel de Icaza.

Museum and Archaeological Zone Improvement

In a related cultural development, the general director of INAH, Omar Vázquez Herrera, announced progress on the Program for the Improvement of Museums and Archaeological Zones.

With an investment of approximately 380 million pesos, the Program focuses on actions involving the renovation, rehabilitation, and improvement of Archaeological Zones, as well as museographic projects related to the ball game.

To date, the project is 26 percent complete, benefiting 12 states. Work has been carried out at the National Museum of Anthropology, described as the "museum of museums in Mexico and, of course, the museum of museums in Latin America." There, the most extensive maintenance of the marble platforms will be performed, along with waterproofing the roofs of the Sierras de Puebla Hall and the National Library of Anthropology and History.

Another major site undergoing maintenance is the Templo Mayor, where work will be done on the facade and infrastructure, including the site's elevators.

Other sites on the list include the Teotihuacan Archaeological Zone, the Boca de Potrerillos Archaeological Zone, the Los Melones Archaeological Zone, the Los Reyes Archaeological Zone, the Cholula Archaeological Zone, and the El Tajín Archaeological Zone, among others.

"The reason we are making this investment is because it has been 30 years since any investment was made in the cultural infrastructure of these most important venues," concluded Omar Vázquez Herrera.