The need of a labor market in Guayaquil: perspectives and projections

Abstract

Based on research with a qualitative approach and descriptive-explanatory scope developed around the first Labor Market for the Arts organized by the University of the Arts of Ecuador, it was established reasons for which a cultural market can favor, improve and reinforce the consumption of musical and performing arts in Guayaquil, a port city in Latin American. By contrasting the supply data (artists, representatives, entrepreneurs) and the demand (producers, programmers, directors), the needs and selection criteria of cultural infrastructures or facilities were inferred while defining certain contents for its programming, and thereby facilitating dissemination and internationalization of artistic products. The artistic background, the proven artistic production or research (tours, festivals, awards, media presence), the originality and creativity in the repertoire and the technical, artistic, thematic or diverse contributions in their proposals, as well as the artist's or collective’s power of drawing crowds would be decisive to achieve a co-production or contract that in turn guarantees the attendance of the public and box office sales in public, private or independent cultural organizations. With this case study, the characteristics and problems of Guayaquil’s culture ecosystem were analyzed to imagine its projection into a national reality, its tendency towards the formation of networks, professionalization and updating of knowledge about booking, merchandising or networking.