Cultural cooperation Brazil-Netherlands 2025-2028

Dutch creatives are welcome guests at major art events in Brazil, such as the São Paulo Art Biennial, the Paraty em Foco photography festival, and the audiovisual Festival do Rio. There are many similarities between Dutch and Brazilian ways of working, particularly in their pursuit of innovation, positivity, and resilience. As a result, both parties generally understand each other well, and there has been frequent and increasing cultural cooperation in recent years.

However, the saying "Brazil is not for beginners" remains relevant. The distance between the Netherlands and Brazil is considerable, and it may be necessary to learn some Portuguese. Additionally, the temporary importation of art and installations can be both complex and costly. It is advisable to focus on developing long-term collaborations and exchanges based on co-creation, reciprocity, and equality.

Since political shifts, Brazil is once again positioning itself as a country eager to expand its international and bilateral cultural cooperation at all levels—federal, state, and municipal. The current government restored funding, particularly in the audiovisual and visual arts sector. Public companies resumed cultural investments, often through open calls.

Brazil's cultural landscape serves as a platform for important discussions about the country's colonial past and cultural heritage. This includes addressing issues such as racism, the legacy of slavery, and the rights and histories of Indigenous peoples. Moreover, culture in Brazil plays a crucial role in addressing the country's deep social and economic inequalities. For many young people in vulnerable communities, engagement in cultural programmes offers a sense of belonging, educational opportunities, and even potential career paths. Initiatives in arts, music, and performance help empower youth, while museums and cultural institutions are striving to make these experiences accessible to all, often through creative outreach and educational programmes.

The majority of Dutch-Brazilian cultural activities take place in the main cultural centres like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. In addition, Brasília as the capital of the country is relevant in particular for institutional cooperation. Recife, due to its historical link with the Netherlands, remains important as one of the heritage hotspots of the Brazilian Northeast. The yearly open calls from the Dutch diplomatic missions in Brazil for cultural and heritage projects have proven to provide greater geographical diversification.

Social transformation
Opportunities for the cultural cooperation with Brazil exist in particular for enduring, visible and reciprocal activities emphasizing sustainability, diversity and inclusion. Especially when engaging underserved communities and utilizing art as a tool for social transformation, thereby addressing societal issues like inequality. Even more, when projects generate positive economic output by fostering innovation and job creation, further contributing to sustainable development.

Cultural events and exchange
There are possibilities for Dutch artists to participate in major Brazilian cultural events such as festivals and art exhibitions. There will be support for programmes like artists’ residencies, visitors’ programmes, joint exhibitions, and educational initiatives that help connect artists, scholars, and institutions.

Dutch-Brazilian relations
Specific cultural activities will be developed related to the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference in Belém, the bicentennial anniversary of Dutch-Brazilian diplomatic relations in 2026 and the bilateral friendship treaty in 2028, among others. Notably, there is growing attention from Brazilians to exchange with the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Support for the Sustainable Development Goals
Contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with culture and creativity is an important objective in the Netherlands’ International Cultural Policy, ranging from gender equality, to reducing inequalities and climate action. Therefore, activities and programmes that emphasize local resources, digital exchanges, or environmentally conscious production methods will be prioritized for support. As well as projects contributing to sustainable cities through collaborations on urban development and cultural heritage preservation.

The aim is not only to support artists and cultural institutions, but also promote social responsibility, fairness, and inclusivity, aligning with the broader goals of sustainability and equitable cultural exchange. By embracing diversity and ensuring inclusive participation, the aim is to reflect a wide range of perspectives and cultures, fostering a more representative and dynamic creative environment.

Therefore, given the environmental impact of frequent travel, longer stays and broader engagement with local communities are being encouraged. Projects need to have added value for the Brazilian cultural sector (e.g. workshops for general and technical audiences, collaborations with tangible benefits for society, democratization of access to cultural events, etc.)

Cultural heritage cooperation
For the cooperation with Brazil, cultural heritage remains a special focus; not just because of the shared past in colonial times, but also because of the heritage associated with the 20th century migration of the Dutch to Brazil. Collaboration regarding the preservation of this heritage will continue, in addition to knowledge exchange and capacity building concerning museum collections. This implies extra attention for online collaboration, digitization and intangible heritage.

Would you like to receive more information regarding opportunities for cultural exchange with Brazil? Feel free to contact our advisor Josine Backus with your questions.

• Go (back) to the main country page for Brazil
• Webpage of the Embassy of The Kingdom of the Netherlands in Brazil
• Follow the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Brazil on social media
• Travel advice to Brazil (in Dutch)
• Comprehensive mapping of the Brazilian cultural field (2015)

In Brazil, the Dutch diplomatic network includes the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Brasília and the Consulates General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The missions support activities of all art disciplines that meet the objectives of the International Cultural Policy 2025-2028. The emphasis is on addressing social inequalities, promoting sustainability, and ensuring fair pay, diversity, and inclusion within all cultural activities and initiatives. Also, the cooperation on cultural heritage is equally emphasized. Every year, the network launches open calls for cultural and heritage projects.