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Advisor for Hungary, Poland, Ukraine & Turkiye
Email
t.stepanovic [at] dutchculture.nl
Turkey
Türkiye & the Netherlands
Türkiye has a strong cultural and artistic ecosystem that welcomes the examples of the Dutch cultural and creative sectors. Türkiye has a rich history as a country, also in relation to Europe and the Netherlands. The historical ties between the Netherlands and Türkiye date back to over 400 years ago, when the Ottoman Empire was the first to acknowledge the Republic of the Netherlands as a country in 1612. This led to an extensive partnership between the two countries during the 17th century.
Today, there are more than 400,000 Dutch citizens with roots in Türkiye. This organic connection creates opportunities for shared stories on the foundation of common history. Today’s multi-faceted and diverse society makes for many different forms of expression, which make it an intriguing environment for Dutch artists to work in. Different movements and views in Türkiye often collide, but at the same time create ground for creative impulses and expressions. For Dutch artists, visiting and collaborating with Turkish partners can offer lots of inspiration and reflection.
A young and ambitious cultural sector
Vibrant, resilient, and constantly developing: the cultural sector in Türkiye is never at a standstill. The demand for cultural activities is high, and the cultural sector is young and ambitious – from the performing arts to the visual arts, and from the creative industry to literature.
Artists and organisations in the cultural field are open to collaboration, experimentation, and innovation. Many new methods, like co-design and cultural exchanges, are already being embraced. The metropole of Istanbul is (unsurprisingly) a hub for most developments, but the development in the field is not limited to that region alone. The cultural infrastructure is strengthened by local and regional governments that are actively pursuing cultural policies. The creative industry is also upcoming, due to the challenges that climate change brings, and it helps design new solutions. Local governments are collaborating with designers as well.
Given the pace at which the creative and cultural sectors in Türkiye are developing, they are flexible and have great adaptive capabilities. Cross-sectoral collaborations continually emerge and contribute to spreading culture to all layers of society. Examples are of artists interacting with academics or creative professionals working with craftsmen. There are significant differences within different regions in Türkiye, socially and culturally as well as politically. These differences naturally coincide with different fault lines in society. Culture has an important role to play, as it can spark conversation, challenge existing views, and build bridges.
Information & Advice
Want to know more about opportunities for cultural exchange with Poland? Check the links, FAQs, infographics and activities below. Feel free to contact our advisor for Turkey if you have any questions.
Advisor
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Year:
Turkey at a glance
222 registered activities in 2025
featuring 132 artists
featuring 132 artists
Number of activities
12 months (2025)
12 months (2025)
Activities by
discipline in 2025
discipline in 2025
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Frequently asked questions
- 1. Where can I find funding within the Netherlands?
Are you looking for (international) funding? Check our general funding page for different funding guides, grants and open calls, or the digital Cultural Mobility Funding Guide for the Netherlands for regional, private and international (mobility) funding.
In the Netherlands the means for international cultural cooperation are delegated to the national funds. The fund that works for your art form or artistic discipline, has one or several subsidy schemes for internationalisation. To make sure the program fits your project, you can contact the advisors of the fund before starting the process of application.
Design, Creative Industries, Architecture, Digital Culture
Creative Industries Fund NL
> International Vouchers
> Internationalization of the Design Sector Grant Scheme
> New Procedures in Collaboration with Embassies AbroadNieuwe Instituut
>International Visitors Programme
Visual Arts, HeritageMondriaan Fund
> Subsidy for International Art Presentation to present work by living artists based in the Kingdom of the NetherlandsTheater, Dance, Music
Performing Arts Fund
> Grants for foreign organisations to invite artists based in the Kingdom of the Netherlands
> Internationalisation grants for artists based in the Kingdom of the NetherlandsAudiovisual media, Film, Documentary
Dutch Film Fund
>The Film Fund has several subsidy schemes to support co-productions and distribution (film & documentary).Literature
Dutch Foundation for Literature
> Translation grants for foreign publishers
> Travel grantsParticipation, Education, Communal arts, Cooperations, Projects with non-professionals
Cultural Participation Fund
> FundingsHeritage
International Heritage Cooperation is part of the Netherlands’ international cultural policy. The embassies of the Netherlands in the partner countries have a budget for supporting local cultural heritage projects. DutchCulture manages a Matching Fund. Dutch legal entities (companies and registered freelancers) are able to apply for partial funding for an international heritage cooperation project.
DutchCulture supports international heritage cooperation between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Europe. The Europe + Heritage programme offers advice, a Travel Scheme (vouchers of €350-€1000) and a General Support Scheme (maximum €5.000) for heritage professionals and heritage organisations based in the Kingdom of the Netherlands who wish to visit a European partner, invite a European partner or set up a cooperation with a European partner. Heritage can be both tangible and intangible.
Other
The Netherlands Enterprise Agency is not a national fund but also offers, on behalf of various ministries and the European Union, subsidies for companies in the creative industries.
- 2. Where can I find funding in Türkiye?
The grant organisations in Türkiye are limited in number in comparison to the EU countries. In order to be eligible for these financing opportunities it is in most cases necessary to have a partner based in Turkey. Only people or institutions registered in Türkiye can apply for funding, unless it is noted to be otherwise. Therefore we advise you to ask your Turkish partner organisation to apply for funding in Türkiye, while you can search additional support at funding bodies in the Netherlands or at the Consulate of the Netherlands in Istanbul.
Furthermore, the Embassy of the Netherlands in Ankara or the Consulate-General in Istanbul have an extensive network in the local cultural sector and in-depth knowledge of its cultural institutions, organisations and theatres. The Embassy can advise on opportunities for cooperation. In addition, they can provide grants to local cultural institutions that present Dutch cultural works in Turkey. You can find more information on their website, where 'Culture' is presented as a thematic focus. They also help Dutch artists and creative entrepreneurs in increasing their visibility.
Doing your research beforehand and finding local partners is essential. You can use the DutchCulture Database by simply going to the search option in the upper left corner, and search for ´Turkey´ or any city you are interested in. This way you will see which Dutch artists are already active in which areas. DutchCulture has also prepared a very useful source -Mapping Turkey- containing a comprehensive survey of the cultural field put together by local experts in visual arts, design, film, heritage, publishing, youth and participatory projects.
Here are some names of grant organisations and foundations operating in Turkey: Foundation for Civil Society (Sivil Toplum icin Destek Vakfı), Sabancı Foundation (Sabancı Vakfı), SAHA Association (Saha Derneği), and Spaces of Culture.
Furthermore, there are other funding programmes in the frame of the European Union such as Think for Civic Society (Sivil Düşün) and the European Commission-COSME for sustainable and circular fashion industry among others.
- 3. Are there funding opportunities within Europe?
Creative Europe
Since Turkey has withdrawn from Creative Europe (2014-2020), there is unfortunately no funding opportunities within this major funding programme. Turkey can primarily participate as a third country.
- 4. How can I promote my work in Türkiye?
Make sure to contact the Consulate General and Embassy to let them know about your projects. It is also a good idea to discuss with your local partner if you have one, how promotion of your event/your work will take place and how to engage local professionals and publicists.
Do not forget to create a My DC account where you can add your activities to our Cultural Database. This way you will be included in our DutchCulture database and become part of our network.
- 5. What visa do I need?
EU citizens no longer need to obtain a visa to enter Turkey. In any other cases, it is wise to check the rules with your country's representatives in the Netherlands, or you can ask the DutchCulture Mobility Info Point.
Find out exactly what the rules are that a gallery, stage or theatre upholds, before engaging in a cooperation. If you find obstacles on your way, you will have enough time to apply for permits or find other solutions. Always make sure that your health insurance will cover you across borders.
- 6. How can I find a residency, venue at which to perform, exhibition space?
Browse through the DutchCulture Database and figure out which artists from the Netherlands have worked at which venues, and start your research this way. Go to the search icon on the upper-left corner of the website, and search by discipline, country and city.
For residencies, DutchCulture | TransArtists is a great research tool. In order to successfully build an international career, and in order to find sustainable partners in a country, it is always wise to spend more than a few days somewhere. Residencies, ranging from a couple of weeks until several months, can help you to achieve that.
