International cultural policy

Cultural exchanges inspire and contribute to mutual understanding. It can make difficult political and social topics open to discussion. That is why the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation and Ministry of Education, Culture and Science have drawn up an international cultural policy for the period 2025-2028. These ministries use their knowledge, network and subsidies to contribute to international cultural cooperation. In addition, the embassies provide an international network.

The following three policy objectives have been set for 2025-2028:

• Ensuring the Dutch cultural sector has a strong position abroad;
• Supporting bilateral relationships with other countries;
• Using the strength of the cultural and creative sector to promote sustainable development in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

State visits and trade missions
Cultural organisations are often invited to take part in state visits and trade missions. This is a cultural gift that is given to the receiving country; the so-called ‘quid pro quo’.

The cultural policy focuses on 24 countries with the largest artistic and economic opportunities, quality, social relevance, historic ties and foreign policy interests. The countries in Europe are: Belgium, Germany, France, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. The countries outside Europe are: Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, South Africa, Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Brazil, Suriname and the United States. The Netherlands works with these countries on the basis of the following principles: reciprocity, diversity, inclusion and fairness, social impact and ecological and social sustainability. You will find an overview of these countries’ activities on the DutchCulture website. In addition, they provide a short summary of the cooperation and a contract person for each country.

The government budget for international cultural policy is about €21 million per year.  This is divided over various government cultural funds, cultural institutions and international cultural programmes, and includes the use of culture as part of diplomacy efforts. For example, the Eye Filmmuseum works to promote Dutch films internationally and the Nieuwe Instituut’s Agency department provides support to bolster the international position of Dutch designers. The Cultural Heritage Agency provides advice on international cooperation and the Performing Arts Fund NL offers various subsidy schemes for shows abroad.

Are you looking for a subsidy for an international project?
If so, look on the DutchCulture website at their Funding options. The subsidy schemes of the above-mentioned funds are included herein.

There is also cooperation within the EU in terms of cultural policy. One example of this is Creative Europe, the European Commission's programme for providing support to the cultural and audiovisual sectors. The Creative Europe programme 2021-2027 has a budget of € 2.4 billion for its seven-year duration. The Creative Europe programme is divided into 3 strands: culture, media and cross-sectoral. Initiatives like the European Capitals of Culture and the European Heritage Label are also part of this. DutchCulture/Creative Europe Desk NL is the service and information point for the Creative Europe programme in the Netherlands.

The EU also co-funds initiatives like Creatives Unite, an organisation that maps out the status and working conditions of the cultural and creative sector in the EU, as well as Culture Action Europe, the network that acts as political voice in the debate regarding arts and cultural policy.