The arts are back with the creative industries. If only that goes well.

In the presence of WAKVN*), our culture minister Jet Bussemaker gave a speech to other culture ministers today. It was about creative industries, as a conference on that is now underway in our country. Exchange of knowledge between Asian culture ministers and the Netherlands is already quite unique. The fact that the Netherlands drops the word 'art' in a meeting about the creative industry is a great first in this respect. Throughout the early 21st century, art was not mentioned when talking about creative industries. In fact, while the creative industry was elevated to 'Top Sector', art in the Netherlands was cut back. So there you are, with your culture ministry.

So the previous cabinet had sent someone from Economic Affairs.

So this is great progress for the Dutch cultural sector. Suddenly, we matter again. The only question is how we are going to give all these fine words for our Asian friends policy roll-out hands and feet.

Therefore: the questions Jet Bussemaker would like to see answered during the two-day event:

1: "We are going to talk, for example, about how to get the necessary creative skills of our population can increase. How do we prepare our young people at school for that? And how do we give cultural education in those schools the place it deserves?"

2: "How do we leverage the creative industries to make successful cities also inclusive, healthy and sustainable cities?"

3: "How do we ensure that artists become more entrepreneurial and entrepreneurs better understand the creative industries?"

4: "Should the government be much more of an intermediary between artists and entrepreneurs?"

Finally. You get the picture: there's not going to be an extra penny there. But the idea is nice. And we are eternally grateful to Bussemaker for reinstating the arts in the Netherlands as part of the creative industry. As long as our artists are not forced to useful things going to make. Because then they are no longer artists.

You can put your contributions in the comments.

*) Willem Alexander, King of the Netherlands

Jet's speech can be found here.