New research by DutchCulture, commissioned by the City of Amsterdam, shows that international cultural cooperation is not only artistically and socially valuable, but also makes a substantial economic contribution to the Netherlands. The annual added value can reach 10.6 billion euros, a multiple of what is invested in it. The Dutch arts and culture sector annually contributes approximately €14 billion in direct added value to Dutch GDP, accounting for 1.5% of the total. Within this sector, international cooperation generates up to €10.6 billion in additional value: €3.6 billion direct value and up to €7.0 billion indirect value, through sectors such as hospitality, business services and suppliers.
Art paves a way
About 25 percent of added value in the culture sector comes from exports. With this, arts and culture is not inferior to sectors such as hospitality (21%), construction (15%) and financial services (15%). What is more striking is that cultural exports go hand in hand with total trade in goods and services. The study shows that among the Netherlands' top 10 export partners, there is a strong correlation (about 85 percent) between the number of art and cultural activities exported and total exports of goods and services. This suggests that cultural cooperation not only creates value on its own, but also paves the way for broader economic relationships.
International exchange also has an important diplomatic and relational dimension. Policy frameworks of government and international partners recognize culture as a form of soft power that strengthens bilateral and multilateral relations. Studies by UNESCO, the European Commission and the British Council show that cultural programs enhance public diplomacy, exchange knowledge and capabilities, and provide neutral spaces where traditional diplomacy falls short.
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