From Bucaramanga to Cuba

From Bucaramanga to Cuba: Maestro Jorge Torres Assumes Vice Presidency of the University Arts Network

Jorge Torres González, a visual artist and cultural manager from Bucaramanga, was appointed second vice president of the University Arts Network, highlighting his work in the integration and promotion of Latin American art.
Jorge Torres González is a visual artist and cultural manager with roots in Santander, and has dedicated part of his artistic work to promoting contemporary art in his region and in Latin America.

As director of the International Art Biennial Desde Aquí (From Here) in Bucaramanga, he has dedicated himself to highlighting the work of emerging artists and building bridges between artistic creation and cultural promotion.

His career has recently been highlighted with his appointment as vice president of the University Arts Network (RUA), an international organization based in Cuba that brings together the leading institutions dedicated to artistic training worldwide. Read: “The Scent of Marigolds”: A Play About Women, War, and Memory Comes to the Teatro Santander

“This appointment not only recognizes my work as an artist; it also commits me to raising awareness of the cultural practices of Colombia and Latin America on international stages,” said Torres. As part of the RUA board of directors, her goal will be to strengthen academic alliances, promote Latin American art, and expand training opportunities for artists in the region.
Torres was nominated by the Instituto Superior de Arte de Cuba (ISA), the only art university in the country and one of the most influential on the continent. Her selection was made thanks to the support of artists and scholars from different countries, who recognized her commitment to cultural integration and artistic training.
One of her main contributions has been the creation and consolidation of the Bucaramanga International Art Biennial, which has already held six editions and is preparing for its seventh. The event has engaged more than 1,200 artists from 40 countries and has become an influential platform for artistic and cultural exchange. Figures such as Beatriz González and Carolina Caycedo have participated in the Biennial, along with emerging talents from Colombia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.
“The work has been constant and serious. Sometimes the manager isn't an artist, and the artist isn't a manager. I managed to combine both facets, and I think that's what's being recognized now. They see me as someone who can pave the way and connect dreams,” the maestro notes.

In his new position, Torres will seek to actively disseminate the RUA's objectives and invite more Colombian and Latin American universities to join. He also hopes to facilitate training processes such as master's and doctoral programs in partnership with the ISA.

“We want artists to understand these processes, to be able to travel, exchange ideas, and meet with people from their own countries who are paving the way. The goal is to make their careers more accessible, with greater empathy for cultural and artistic experiences, both local and international,” he concludes.
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