Cultural cooperation United States – Netherlands 2025-2028

The United States of America is a large country with an enormous cultural infrastructure, where the growth opportunities for Dutch art and culture remain significant. With a shared history spanning more than 400 years, the US is one of the Netherlands’ most important partners—not only in the areas of security, trade, and the economy, but certainly also in the fields of art, culture, and heritage.

Although the competition is intense, visibility in the US leads to new markets and audiences. The Netherlands traditionally offers high-quality contributions in classical music, ballet, contemporary dance, as well as in design, electronic music, and DJ culture, all of which are highly regarded in the US.

In addition, Dutch artists and creatives are praised for being innovative, exploratory, and groundbreaking. As a result, collaborations between the American and Dutch cultural domains emerge, which also engage new groups and offer a surprising window on societal themes and issues, such as diversity and inclusion.

Furthermore, heritage is in many places, the tangible reminder of our shared history. Heritage cooperation has led to meaningful research and promising collaborations that shed new, contemporary light on our shared past.

New York naturally remains the city with the greatest cultural appeal in the US. However, Dutch talent also finds its way to other cities with vibrant cultural scenes. Popular cities include Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, and Las Vegas.

In the current period, the Netherlands will continue to strengthen its cultural presence in the United States through increased visibility, exchange, and sustainable cooperation. The ongoing collaboration with a number of regular partners, such as the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the Battery Dance Festival, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York City Center, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Photoville Festival, South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival, EXPO Chicago, and various other institutions, provides a solid foundation for the future.

Support for Dutch cultural activities in the US will also enhance the mutual relationship between the two countries. However, looking ahead, we cannot overlook a number of uncertain factors, given (geo)political developments, which could also impact cultural cooperation in the US—such as in the areas of programming, funding, or visa issuance for example.

Cultural cooperation with the US offers opportunities across all art disciplines. Based on demand from the US and supply from the Netherlands, the current period will present, among others, prospects in visual arts, design, film, photography, shared cultural heritage, old masters, and performing arts. There is also potential in areas such as dance, literature, architecture, digital culture, gaming, and fashion. New possibilities are emerging in less traditional institutions and locations, for example in the field of street art, impact-driven community projects, and multidisciplinary festivals.

The US is vast, and there are opportunities for cultural cooperation and exchange in cities other than the traditionally popular ones. Therefore, more attention will be given to Houston, Atlanta, Austin, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Diego, and Washington among others.

Possible occasions for cultural projects in the near future include large-scale events such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Art Basel Miami Beach, South by Southwest, and the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026. Additionally, commemorations, such as those of World War II and the history of slavery, provide further opportunities for collaboration and exchange. Specific initiatives, such as artist-in-residence programmes, will also enhance the visibility of Dutch art and culture in the US.

Cultural heritage cooperation
With the focus on the history of slavery and the 400th anniversary of New York City (Future400 programme), there has been significant attention in recent years on shared heritage and the Dutch role in the history of the United States. The 400th anniversary of New York City and New Netherland led to collaboration with new partners, educational projects, and the use of digital opportunities to link the past with the present. In all projects, the history was explored from various perspectives. This has contributed to mutual understanding and increased knowledge, for example, through cultural collaboration with the original inhabitants of Manhattan. The trajectory of cultural cooperation, with a focus on the history of slavery and the indigenous peoples of New Netherland, will continue this period.

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

Further reading

• Go (back) to the main country page for the US
• Webpages of the Embassy of The Kingdom of the Netherlands in the U.S.
• DutchCulture USA (Consulate General New York)
• Follow the Dutch embassy and consulates in the U.S. on social media
• Travel advice to the U.S. (in Dutch)

In the US, the Dutch diplomatic network includes the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Washington, D.C., and the Consulates General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, New York, and San Francisco. Headquarters for cultural services is the Press and Cultural Affairs Department of the Consulate General in New York (CGNY). CGNY serves as an intermediary between the Dutch and American art worlds, by promoting Dutch arts, culture and shared cultural heritage in the US and by encouraging and facilitating cultural cooperation and exchange. It provides limited amounts of funding for qualified Dutch cultural projects in the US. Find more info on the website DutchCultureUSA on what they do and do not do.