Outcome assessment council: room for newcomers and region

Basic cultural infrastructure (BIS) 2025-2028

Twelve newcomers and 54 cultural institutions in the regions outside the Randstad will get a place in the Basic Cultural Infrastructure. That is the outcome of the assessment of the subsidy applications by the Council for Culture. Today, the council is presenting its advice on the BIS applications to the Minister of Education, Culture and Science. On Budget Day, the minister will announce which institutions will receive subsidies based on the council's advice. In total, some 250 million euros in subsidies are available annually. These subsidies will allow cultural institutions to organise numerous performances, concerts, festivals and exhibitions from 2025 onwards.

Twelve newcomers

In early February, the council received 181 applications from cultural institutions across the country. The council assesses positively 115 institutions. Of these, 12 are newcomers to the BIS compared to the previous period. 61 institutions receive a negative advice from the council. Of those institutions, nine are currently part of the BIS. On 20 applications, the council judges positively, but still advises not to grant a subsidy. This happens when there are more positively assessed applications than available places. The council then has to make sharp choices and weigh these applications against each other.

Four new institutions in Friesland, Gelderland, Groningen and Limburg

Of the 115 positively advised institutions, more than 50 are located in regions outside the Randstad. For instance, 30 institutions in the provinces of Friesland, Gelderland, Groningen and Limburg receive a positive opinion. Of these, four are newcomers, one in each of those provinces. In the previous BIS period, the number of cultural institutions outside the Randstad had already increased by 19; this is the next step.

Greater focus on fusion of art forms and fair practice

What is striking is that many applications show a fusion of art forms. Institutions seek out the boundaries of their genre and step beyond them by entering into collaborations with other art forms. This leads to interdisciplinarity being given more space within the existing range. Institutions are also paying more attention to fair practice.

Careful assessment

The council assesses grant applications very carefully. It uses the assessment criteria: artistic/substantive quality, social significance, accessibility, business health and geographical spread. The State Secretary for Culture and Media has laid down these criteria in the Regulation on Specific Cultural Policy.

Seventeen assessment committees with external experts

To assess the 181 applications, the council set up 17 assessment committees. Each committee assesses applications from one specific category of institutions, such as orchestras, theatre companies or film festivals. The committees are composed of a group of more than 100 experts. The council is ultimately responsible for the final assessments and opinions.