From January 28, cultural organizations and creators in Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten can visit rijkscultuurfondsen.org. This new website serves as a clear guide to the six national cultural funds, where a selection of funding opportunities can be found.
Why rijkscultuurfondsen.org?
The website was created in consultation with cultural creators and organizations in the Caribbean islands. From discussions, site visits, and exchanges, the funds received the request to create a digital space where creators and organizations can easily find a suitable fund and subsidy schemes. Rijkscultuurfondsen.org is a platform that guides potential applicants step by step to the options that best fit their cultural plans.
Find the right subsidy in two steps
One of the main functions of the website is the digital application assistance; a custom-made filter tool that allows the user to see the schemes that best match their cultural plans within two steps. Additionally, the website provides summaries of a selection of subsidy schemes per fund, offered in four languages: English, Papiamentu, Papiamento, and Dutch. Once you have filtered the scheme that best fits your plans, you will be redirected to the website of the appropriate fund.
Gilia Croes, policy officer at Education, Culture & Science (OCW) Caribbean Netherlands, on rijkscultuurfondsen.org: “The cultural field in the Caribbean is full of potential, but many creators and cultural organizations hesitate to take the plunge into the deep ocean of available subsidies. It can be difficult to find your way through all the options. This website provides a handy guide and helps Caribbean creatives find the right support. With improved access to financial resources, the platform enables them to bring their plans to life and realize the full potential of the Caribbean creative field.”
For creators throughout the Kingdom
The national cultural funds are committed to making art and culture accessible to everyone, in both European and Caribbean Netherlands. They stimulate innovation, talent development, and connections between creators, organizations, and the public across the entire Kingdom.
The website was designed by Aruban designer Carla Garcia and emphasizes this connection: “The visual identity of rijkscultuurfondsen.org is inspired by the cultural heritage of the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. The design concept emphasizes intersections, connections, and borders, visually representing collaborations and shared paths.”
Six national cultural funds
The website is managed on behalf of the six national cultural funds: the Dutch Film Fund, Fund for Performing Arts, Fund for Cultural Participation, Mondriaan Fund, Dutch Literature Fund, and the Creative Industries Fund.
These funds, financed by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW), provide financial support to cultural organizations and creators throughout the Kingdom. Together, they finance all cultural disciplines: architecture, digital culture, design, visual arts, heritage, film, literature, performing arts, and cultural participation and education.
Go now to rijkscultuurfondsen.org and discover all the opportunities this website has to offer.