The bubble is broken: time to talk about real funding for Dominican literature
We have analyzed the rhythms of our country’s literary scene time and again. It is a conversation that deeply connects to our responsibility as a community, an industry, a network of enterprises, and above all, as allies.
A few days ago, I posted on Instagram that the bubble surrounding Dominican literature had finally broken. It happened much faster than expected—far quicker than I once anticipated—thanks to the talent, love, and sense of purpose shared by so many.
Of course, that does not mean the bases are loaded (to borrow a baseball metaphor) or that we can simply relax. Major challenges remain. Ignoring them will not make them disappear; that is far from reality. In a previous piece, I outlined three main areas where Dominican literature needs serious work: nurturing talent, securing funding, and building a solid organizational framework to support cultural growth—what I like to call organizational know-how.
Yet, there is a key element among those three that I never fully addressed: the current leadership driving Dominican literature forward. The private sector has done remarkable work, setting unique precedents in cultural management not only for our country, but for the entire Caribbean. They disrupted the status quo directly and unapologetically. We broke the bubble through sheer determination and relentless effort, fueled by the unconditional commitment of cultural leaders who work endlessly to bring the magic to life, no matter the cost.
Saying “it’s done” brings a sense of relief and quiet pride—a moment to step back and celebrate after so much heavy lifting. There are no more excuses when it comes to fixing a system that is still at a boiling point. The momentum will not stop because we have already mastered the most important component: the human element. Come rain, shine, or storm, literature remains a priority. Cultural management is a passion, driven by a desire to create experiences that linger with others.
Moving forward, two structural hurdles still demand our attention:
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The lack of functional organizational foundations across projects, institutions, and both public and private entities managing culture.
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Funding, which remains essential to driving real, lasting change.
As observed in recent months, we still lack solid organizational frameworks and structured cultural management. This includes direct financial investment, well-defined teams, proper staff training, and stronger backing from public institutions. However, public bodies cannot shoulder this burden alone; sustaining cultural projects financially involves significant risk.
To prevent cultural work from becoming an overwhelming burden, we need real resources. Defining the financial viability of an unfunded private project is nearly impossible for any director. Funds must be allocated, and project proposals deserve to be thoroughly evaluated for the immense value they bring to a sector that belongs to everyone.
Securing funding is a skill that many cultural managers are still learning to navigate. Often, the true priorities of funding institutions remain unclear. What we need now is a direct, structured dialogue between public and private sectors to address our current landscape. No one can build a thriving cultural ecosystem alone—especially in the Caribbean, where conditions are notoriously unstable, variable, and unpredictable. The private sector bears a shared responsibility to advocate for necessary public policies and support programs that can truly transform the cultural landscape in the Dominican Republic.
An open dialogue is the starting point for building what so many cultural leaders have envisioned for years. The willingness to see these projects succeed is already here, closer than ever. Never before have books generated so much conversation across social media, book clubs, publisher promotions, international co-editions, and local authors breaking into foreign markets. Dominican literature has never had this level of visibility, even as we continue working to bring structure to the movement.
The bubble is broken, but there is still extensive work ahead in this new space opening before us. It requires constant exploration, learning, adaptation, and renewal until the sector stands fully consolidated for society.
The invitation remains open—over a freshly poured cup of Dominican coffee—to pause, evaluate our progress, and invite others to discover what we are building with such dedication. The final answer will never be to go it alone. Real success is achieved together, by respecting every voice in the room.
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By Roxanna Marte
Dominican fiction writer, professor, and cultural strategist
Director of the CuentaRD literary collective
