Arts and culture in figures
Arts and culture have an impact and that is reflected in the research and the figures that are published across the various professional fields. Collect data which you can use to substantiate your story.
Discipline specific
What do you use data for?
Figures about the arts and culture sector provide insight into the size of the professional group or field. That says something about the importance thereof. You can also examine this per field: for example, how many shows take place each year, how many architects are there or how many visitors do museums attract?
Pay careful attention to the context when using statistical data. For example, look at the scale: are you talking about impact at the level of a neighbourhood, town or city, region, nationally or internationally?
You can use research to elucidate the impact of your own work or field. Place figures in perspective by making a comparison, for example, with an average figure and substantiate your own story in that way.
Data and current affairs
When comparing data, it is also important to place new developments in that period in a broad perspective. For example, the corona pandemic has had major consequences for the entire arts and cultural sector. In 2020 till 2022 you will see a sharp decrease in the number of visitors. Income and employment also declined, despite the financial arrangements to compensate for the lockdowns and restrictive measures. These figures cannot be compared with those of the years before without that context.
Where can you find statistical data?
You will find quantitative data and qualitative and thematic analyses about the Dutch cultural sector in the Cultuurmonitor (Cultural Monitor) of the Boekman Foundation. You can also turn to this for figures about the various professional fields In addition, the Dutch Chamber of Commerce provides figures about the number of employees, self-employed professionals and institutions in the various occupational groups, including the ‘culture and sport’ industry. Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and municipalities present statistical data.
Via representative bodies
In order to be able to properly support the interests of a specific field and their own members, representative bodies often conduct research themselves too, for example by questioning their own members or supporters about specific themes. This information is usually presented publicly too. There are various national professional organisations that make an important contribution in this way towards promoting the interests of their own professional group and towards arts advocacy in general. You can also take advantage of these figures in order to substantiate your own story.
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Figures for the professional field of heritage
In 2024, there were 1,464 archaeological national monuments, 4,126 archaeological complexes, 5,186 archaeological investigations, and 161 archaeological find reports. In 2024, there were 472 nationally protected townscapes and villages. In 2025, the Netherlands had 61,643 built national monuments. In 2025, €109,489,875 in subsidies were awarded to maintain these national monuments. (Heritage Monitor, 2026)
Nearly 90 percent of Dutch people over the age of twelve visited, practiced, viewed, or studied cultural heritage in all its various forms in 2024. Six million Dutch people, 38 percent of the population, actively engaged with heritage in their free time. (Culture Monitor, 2026)
Intangible heritage is being mapped in the KIEN inventory: in 2024, a total of 209 different forms of living cultural heritage were registered. The largest category of this is "Festives, Rituals, and Social Practices," which includes, for example, King's Day, various flower parades, nightlife, and the "kopro beki" tradition. (Culture Monitor, 2026)
In 2024, 473 museums were affiliated with the Museum Association, and together they organized 2,031 (temporary) exhibitions. These museums received 30.8 million visits, 27% of which came from abroad. In 2024, there were a record number of 1.5 million Museum Card holders, accounting for 31% of total visits. The fees for Museum Card holders' visits will generate €76 million for the museums in 2024. (Museum Association, 2026)
In 2024, the affiliated museums employed 44,000 people, two-thirds (66%) of whom were volunteers or interns. Twenty-two percent of the museums rely primarily on volunteers and interns. In 2024, the museums generated €1.31 billion in revenue, 49% of which came from their own income and 51% from (government) subsidies. This represents €1.34 billion in costs, 69% of which are staff and housing costs. (Museum Association, 2026)
Source: Museumvereniging (Netherlands Museum Association)
Source: Erfgoedmonitor (Heritage Monitor)
Source: Cultuurmonitor - erfgoed (Cultural Monitor - heritage)