The 2024 Report on the state of Culture in Spain, published by the Culture and Communication Observatory of Fundación Alternativas, examines the key challenges facing the cultural sector at the beginning of the new Spanish and European legislative cycles. It focuses on four core agents shaping culture as an essential public good: creators, cultural and participatory rights, cultural industries, and political administrators. The report explores the disruptive impact of technologies such as artificial intelligence, particularly regarding creative production and the protection of intellectual property. It highlights the vulnerability of creators in terms of legal and labour rights and calls for robust public policies to safeguard their role. Additionally, the report emphasises the importance of guaranteeing citizens’ cultural rights, promoting inclusive participation, and recognising the central role of cultural industries in connecting creative content with the public. From an institutional perspective, the analysis delves into Spain’s constitutional framework, with special attention to Article 149.2 CE, which establishes culture as a fundamental duty of the State. Finally, the report provides a critical reflection on the sector’s future in the face of rapid technological transformation, the spread of generative AI, and the complex relationship between artistic freedom and public cultural governance.