Revision of cultural system requires broad approach and more time

The council has already recommended this and now reiterates its advice to extend the culture plan period: "The Council for Culture believes that there is now a unique opportunity to make the cultural and creative sector more resilient and flexible and at the same time to focus on creating room for the recovery of the sector after corona. (...) The usual four-year cycle to arrive at a new subsidy round for culture is too short for this and should be extended by two or four years."

Over the past two years the council has spoken to young makers, people working in the sector, cultural institutions and trade organisations, municipalities, provinces and funds to gain an impression of the effect of the pandemic on the sector. This revealed a number of problems in the areas of cultural education and participation, regional distribution, diversity of supply and audience and in the area of a fair and stable labor market for makers and other workers in the sector.

A unique opportunity to make the sector more resilient and agile, and at the same time to create room for recovery of the sector after corona

Whereas previously the council was always talking about extending the current subsidy period by two years, it is now also considering the possibility of a four-year extension. In doing so, the council wants to address lingering issues in cultural policy.

"The council proposes to take a sharp look at what needs to be done in the short term and what steps can be taken in the longer term. Most issues of cultural policy require a long-term approach, while specific steps can already be taken in the shorter term. The council therefore envisions an advisory report in which it combines a strategic vision of the cultural system in 2035 with a more instrumental part about the organization of the basic cultural infrastructure in the next subsidy period."

Culture system 2035: starting point for a vision of the future

The council wants a system that is inclusive and fair to both creators and the public, that is diverse and multiform and that is able to facilitate new developments and practices. The council would like to work with the sector to develop such a system, but an image of the future of the cultural system should include at least the following elements:

• It offers everyone in the Netherlands access to practicing and experiencing culture, to developing and growing.
• It carries strong cultural communities throughout the country; with a vital cultural ecosystem in each region.
• It responds optimally and flexibly to new practices and encourages collaboration.
• It nurtures what exists and encourages innovation; with support and a level playing field for a variety of disciplines and genres, narratives and artistic views within a fair professional practice.
• The grant system focuses on workable accountability, meaningful assessment, and room for promising developments.

Five policy challenges for the cultural system

The council has identified five tasks that deserve priority: cultural education, active cultural participation, geographical distribution, the cultural labour market and diversity. In addition to these tasks for the cultural system as a whole, the new ordering advice also raises questions about the structure of the basic cultural infrastructure and the subsidy system.

State Secretary Uslu is expected to present a recovery plan for the cultural and creative sector before the summer.

Download 'Movement in the Order'