São Paulo and Medellín – two cities with many differences but several connections, especially regarding the interactions between the creative economy and territorial development, with their strengths, experiences, and learnings. To establish new bridges and exchanges on this topic between the states of São Paulo and Antioquia, Comfama – a family compensation fund in the state of Antioquia and the second-largest investor in culture in Colombia, after the Ministry of Culture – designed a tailor-made program with Garimpo de Soluções in 2022/23.
The first stage involved an immersion in Medellín for Ana Carla Fonseca and Alejandro Castañé, the project coordinators. This intense visit provided them with an in-depth understanding of the context and the most pressing issues for professionals and institutions in the culture and creative economy sectors. Following this, Garimpo created an intense week of activities, conversations, and meetings in São Paulo for 27 representatives from several of Medellín’s most emblematic cultural institutions, as well as prominent creative entrepreneurs.
After this veritable infusion into the soul of São Paulo’s creative economy, live and in color, a report was prepared, encompassing strategic considerations and the main opportunities identified.
