Going to the cinema together, a show, or building a carnival float with your friends. Culture is everywhere, binds us and expresses our identity. The government finds it important that good cultural facilities are available throughout the Netherlands. To improve this, the system of state cultural subsidies must be simplified, with less administrative burden. An important first step is that from 2029 these state subsidies can be provided for a maximum of eight years, instead of the current maximum of four years. The government wants to amend the Specific Cultural Policy Act for this purpose. The Council of Ministers has agreed to this at the proposal of Minister Moes of Education, Culture and Science.
Minister Moes: "Many cultural institutions have been indispensable to our country for decades. Yet under the current system, they have to reapply for a very time-consuming grant every four years. I want more peace and security, and less hassle and administration. So that as much of the money we have for culture as possible actually goes to culture. Extending the maximum state subsidy period from 2029 is a good first step."
Longer grant periods
Many cultural institutions receive grants from municipal, provincial or national governments. The state currently funds 115 cultural institutions and six state cultural funds, which in turn pay out grants to cultural organisations and initiatives scattered across the country. OCW has that money in its budget, amounting to €618 million annually in the period 2025-2028.
Both the House of Representatives and the Council for Culture have called on the cabinet to adopt a longer subsidy period for state cultural subsidies from 2029. Several options were explored, but in the end the cabinet opted for a period of up to eight years. This not only best matches the subsidy periods of municipalities and provinces, but also provides more certainty. This allows cultural institutions to plan ahead and invest for longer, which is important for innovation and development. According to the Culture Council, this term also makes it easier for private parties to invest in cultural organisations. Incidentally, an eight-year subsidy is not the best fit for every party; shorter terms than eight years also remain possible.
Not just longer deadlines, better system too
The process to amend the law will start this autumn, so that it is ready in time to further prepare for the new subsidy period. The next few years are needed not only to amend the law, but also to examine whether application procedures can be simplified and grant schemes designed in the best possible way. For example, we will examine how money for culture is spread across the country. Culture is important for everyone, so the government considers it important that everyone throughout the Netherlands has access to cultural facilities.
