China

China is a priority country in the Netherlands’ International Cultural Policy 2017-2020. Among other things, this status means that extra attention, resources and personnel capacity go to the Dutch diplomatic posts in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Hong Kong.

Many Dutch artists are interested in working in China; and in the Netherlands, there is a desire to give more attention to Chinese art and culture. From China’s side, there is much interest in Dutch artists and Dutch cultural expertise. DutchCulture coordinates these interests and advises artists and institutions in both countries.

Despite the great demand and opportunities in China for Dutch art and the Dutch cultural sector, cultural differences can cause major obstacles to building up a network and gaining access to China. The role of the Chinese government and the financial means there are often different from what we are used to in the Netherlands.

Sustainable collaboration in the museum, film and creative industry sectors
In 2014, the ministers of culture of the Netherlands and China signed a Memorandum of Understanding that gave extra attention to coproductions in the spheres of film, the creative industry, cooperation between museums and literature.

Cooperation in these disciplines will continue in the coming years. The Netherlands Embassy in Beijing, DutchCulture, the Dutch Foundation for Literature, the Netherlands Film Fund and the Topteam Creatieve Industrie have made strategic plans. Other public funds, including the Dutch Performing Arts Fund, the Creative Industry Fund NL and the Mondriaan Fund, also actively sponsor Dutch cultural presentations across China.

In recent years, DutchCulture has built up a good local network in China and signed partnership agreements with key strategic Chinese partners such as the Overseas China Town Group (OCT), the China International Cultural Association (CICA) and Shenzhen Art&Design Alliance (SDA).

Dutch Days
The Netherlands Embassy, the Dutch Consulates in China (Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Hong Kong) and the Netherlands Business Support Offices (NBSO, located in Jinan, Dalian, Nanjing, Chengdu, Qingdao and Wuhan) organise annual recurring activities under the name ‘Dutch Days’. These events are intended to foster economic ties and strengthen the synergy between business and culture.

> Go to china.dutchculture.nl