Frequently Asked Questions

We support you in working internationally in the cultural and creative sector, across all disciplines.

You can come to us for:

• information and practical advice, for example on working with one of the 24 focal countries, regulations, mobility, partners abroad, artist-in-residencies, and funding
• training and events
• connections to relevant partners and networks
• insights into international cultural developments

We also support international partners who want to collaborate with the cultural and creative sector in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. And we work with public authorities, policymakers, and diplomatic missions to strengthen international cultural exchange.

What we don’t do: provide direct funding, manage projects, or act as a booking or intermediary agency.

Yes—if you have the ambition, or plans to work internationally in the cultural or creative sector and you are:

• based in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, regardless of your nationality
• or a Dutch citizen (temporarily) living or working abroad.

We also support partners worldwide who want to collaborate with the sector in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

On our website you’ll find:

• funding opportunities (information and overviews)*
• open calls for international projects and residencies
• guidance on practical and legal requirements (for travelling and working abroad, or working with international partners)
• country information for the Dutch Government’s 24 focal countries
• insights in international developments in the sector
• a Cultural Database with international activities by makers based in or from the Kingdom of the Netherlands
• events by DutchCulture or in cooperation with partners, such as webinars, workshops, networking sessions, trainings
• news and stories, videos and podcasts

Still not sure where to start, or whether your question fits our scope? Contact our Advice Desk.

*Please note: we don’t provide direct funding, but we can help you navigate funding opportunities, regulations, and relevant networks.

We don’t manage projects or act as a booking or intermediary agency.

If you’re exploring international opportunities, these three pages are a good starting point:

1.   Focal countries – practical information on working in any of the Dutch Government’s 24 focal countries.
2.   Funding opportunities – browse funding opportunities and open calls, also for artist-in-residence programmes.
3.   Cultural Database – search international activities to see where other makers have worked and travelled.

Do you already have concrete plans and a specific question? Contact our Advice Desk.

DutchCulture is not a funding body. But you can use our guides to find funding that fits your plan, for example:

• The Mobility Funding Guide (an overview of major funding options for international cultural projects)
• Open calls, including Creative Europe opportunities and artist-in-residence calls

We do manage two small grant schemes for specific forms of heritage exchange:

• Europe + Heritage programme – heritage cooperation between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Europe (Travel Scheme and General Support Scheme)
• International Heritage Cooperation – Matching Fund and Travel Compensation

Creative Europe (2021–2027) is the European Commission’s support programme for the cultural, creative, and audiovisual sectors. Every European country has their local Creative Europe Desk. The Creative Europe Desk NL is part of DutchCulture.

The Creative Europe Desk NL can support you in:

• identifying which calls and funding streams may fit your plan
• navigating the application process

For specific questions about the Creative Europe programme, you can also contact our Advice Desk.

You can visit TransArtists, DutchCulture's platform for artist-in-residence programmes and other international opportunities.

With 1,700+ residencies worldwide, you can search for programmes that match your discipline, destination, and needs. You’ll also find practical guidance on how residencies work and how to prepare (including a checklist).

Start here:

• explore and filter options in the TransArtists residency database
• check the TransArtists open calls page for programmes currently accepting applications
• look at the Cultural Mobility Funding Guide for possible support with travel and accommodation costs

Need help choosing options that fit your practice? Contact our Advice Desk.

Go to our Open calls page to find calls for the Creative Europe programme, artist-in-residence programmes and from partner organisations.

Yes. If you’re planning to work abroad, collaborate with international artists in the Netherlands, or work here as an international artist, use our Travel & docs page.

You’ll find guidance on topics such as:

• visas and work permits
• contracts
• social security
• tax-related matters
• practical tips and common issues to watch out for

Please note: we provide information and advice, but you remain responsible for applications and procedures. We can’t influence decisions by public authorities, we don't give legal advice, and we don’t review tax returns or application forms. If you need formal legal or tax support, contact the relevant authorities or a qualified advisor.

Need tailored guidance? Contact our Advice Desk.

Possibly. If your organisation works on international cultural cooperation and your plans connect to our mission, we’re open to exploring collaboration.

We work with cultural organisations, public authorities, diplomatic missions, and international partners on projects, knowledge exchange, and thematic programmes.

Let us know what you have in mind via our Advice Desk. If we’re not the right partner, we’ll point you to relevant networks or organisations where possible.

Yes. Our services are free to use.

DutchCulture is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Some of our European work is also supported by the European Commission.

If you have questions about planning or running an international cultural project, the easiest way to reach us is through our Advice Desk. We’ll look at your situation and help you figure out the best next step.

For practical details such as opening hours, visit our Contact page.

For job and internship opportunities, see Vacancies.

You can also meet our advisors personally during our Walk-In sessions (every first Thursday of the month).

There are three easy ways to stay up to date:

1. Newsletter – sign up for updates on events, projects, funding opportunities, and more.
2. Social media – follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook for news and upcoming activities. You can also follow our advisors there.
3. Check our Events page for what’s coming up.

The DutchCulture Database is a unique database that tracks the international cultural activities of makers from the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It spans all disciplines, and focuses on activities outside the Netherlands or with international partners. It's publicly available online on our website and is continuously updated.

The database highlights the scope of international cultural activity. This helps us and others make the case for the importance of funding for the cultural sector.

You can use it to get inspired (for example, by seeing where others have worked and travelled) and to get a better sense of the international reach of the sector.

Browse the database to:
•    find inspiration (where others are working and travelling)
•    get a sense of the reach of international cultural activity

Learn more about the Cultural Database

You can also add your own activities if you have worked internationally as a cultural professional. See the question below.

If you or your organisation took part in international cultural activities or projects in the last 10 years, you can add them to the Cultural Database.

You can contribute if:
•    you live and work in the Kingdom of the Netherlands (regardless of nationality), or you are Dutch and living abroad (temporarily)
•    you worked on an activity abroad or collaborated with international partners on a project outside the Netherlands (this includes, for example, a book translation or an art residency)
•    you received or were nominated for an international award

How to share your projects:
•   Log in or create a My DC account to add your activities*
•    Prefer Excel? Fill out the form and send it to our database officer, Erin Chang.

*All submissions are checked to prevent errors, so it may take a few days before your activity is published.

Learn more about the Cultural Database.

Yes. Each year, DutchCulture maps international cultural activities by country and sector. This helps show the scope and scale of international activity and supports the monitoring and evaluation of the Netherlands’ international cultural policy.

Here you can explore the mappings from previous years, and find information on how we collect data and find out how you can contribute as a maker.

Is your organisation looking for a tailored overview of international activities by creators and cultural organisations from your region, province, or city — or focused on a specific discipline or country? Feel free to contact our Advice Desk about a tailor-made cultural data analysis.

We also conducted a study on the value of international cultural exchange for the Netherlands. The outcome reveals that it not only delivers artistic and societal impact but also contributes substantially to the Dutch economy. The annual added value can be as much as 10.6 billion euros, which is several times the amount invested.

Find out more about the impact of international cultural exchange.

When we say “the cultural sector” or “the cultural and creative sector”, we mean professionals, organisations, and institutions working across all disciplines — including:

•    Arts (music, performing arts, visual arts, film, literature)
•    Cultural heritage
•    Creative industry (architecture, fashion, design, digital culture)
•    Related areas such as cultural education, journalism and media, sustainability, and multidisciplinary practice

The Dutch International Cultural Policy supports and strengthens the quality and international visibility of the cultural sector in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is a joint policy of the Ministries of Education, Culture and Science, Foreign Affairs, and Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation. The policy framework is updated every four years.

You can find the international cultural policy framework for 2025–2028 here.

If you’d like more background, you can also read Culture at a first Glance.

The policy is carried out through a wider network, including funds, embassies, and supporting organisations. Municipal and regional governments also play a role through their own international cultural policies.

Dutch embassies and consulates help support international cultural exchange in their country or region. They can, for example, help connect people and organisations, share local knowledge, and in some cases support cultural activities through funding or practical guidance. The level of support varies per embassy or consulate, depending on its size and scope.

You can find contact details for Dutch embassies and consulates here.