The Dutch Government Supports the Dutch Cultural Sector With €300million

The €300million is additional to the previous funding and support packages made available. Culture Minister Van Engelshoven has stated that he is happy with this extra funding for the culture sector. "Culture matters," he says. "It is precisely in this time of crisis that it becomes clear how important culture is: to offer comfort, distraction and hope. The Cabinet is also aware of this and is therefore making extra money available on top of the generic measures." 

"This package mainly aims to support institutions that are essential for the sector as a whole," said Minister Van Engelshoven. "By supporting these crucial cultural organisations now, we hope to ensure that the flow of work and projects, particularly for self-employed workers, will get going again as soon as possible after the crisis." The minister wants to begin implementing these measures as soon as possible. 

The €300million consists of four segments of funding. In the first place, money is used to increase the subsidies for institutions in the basic cultural infrastructure and for institutions and festivals that are supported for several years by the six government culture funds. 

The government is also allocating money to increase existing loan facilities at the National Restoration Fund for national monuments. Thirdly, the six government culture funds will receive a budget to support crucial institutions in the chain that carry cultural infrastructure, especially in regions and cities, such as important municipal and provincial museums, (pop) stages and film theatres. The fourth part ensures that the loan facilities at Cultuur + Ondernemen are increased. Crucial private parties in the chain, such as theatre producers, commercial festivals and art galleries, can turn to Cultuur + Ondernemen. The condition for eligibility is that the generic measures have been used to the maximum.