Culture Minister publishes policy update

In the policy letter Culture Moves.The Meaning of Culture in a Changing Society of June 10th, Minister Bussemaker prepares the ground for a debate on culture, the role of the government and the value of culture for society. This letter and her letter on a new Dutch museum structure were published simultaneously.

In her letter, the minister states that the subsidized part of the cultural sector faces the tough challenge of finding answers to the heavy cuts of the last administration. Government should primarily focus on facilitating experiment, vulnerable cultural expressions, innovation and creativity. In terms of content, the minister puts emphasis on themes that are at the heart of cultural policy in her view: achieving full potential in the individual, development of creativity and connection with society. Her priorities lie in culture education, creative industries, talent development and digitalization.

Internationalization is only discussed indirectly. As yet, it is unclear whether a joint letter of Minister Bussemaker and Minister Timmermans (Foreign Affairs) will be published later this year.

More information
Ministry of Education, Culture and Science: Cultuur beweegt. De betekenis van cultuur in een veranderende samenleving (in Dutch)
Ministry of Education, Culture and Science: Museumbrief. Samen werken, samen sterker