Six municipalities in Zuid-Holland team up to boost regional culture and accessibility
Residents in Alblasserdam, Gorinchem, and four other municipalities will soon enjoy better access to art, culture, and heritage. Six local governments have joined forces to share resources, improve coordination, and make cultural activities more inclusive and appealing for everyone.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Municipalities | Alblasserdam, Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Papendrecht, Molenlanden, Sliedrecht |
| Supporting Organization | Kunstgebouw (regional advisor on art and culture) |
| Date of Agreement | March 17, 2026 |
| Focus Areas | Coordination, accessibility, regional promotion, networking, sector strength |
| Next Steps | Drafting a joint action plan post-municipal elections |
The six municipalities involved are responsible for local cultural policies and funding, ensuring residents have access to art and heritage initiatives. Kunstgebouw, as a regional advisor, supports these municipalities in developing effective cultural strategies and fostering collaboration among institutions.
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Six municipalities collaborate on regional culture
Six municipalities—Alblasserdam, Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Papendrecht, Molenlanden, and Sliedrecht—are joining forces to strengthen collaboration in the fields of art, culture, and heritage. On March 17, the aldermen signed an agreement with Kunstgebouw to formalize this partnership.
Through this collaboration, the municipalities aim to create a robust and future-proof cultural offering. By sharing knowledge and resources, they can achieve more together. Their goal is to make art and culture more accessible and appealing to all residents.
Achieving more together
The municipalities have spent time exploring how to enhance their cooperation, with support from Kunstgebouw—a regional organization that advises municipalities and cultural institutions in South Holland on art and culture.
The discussions revealed that many cultural challenges and opportunities extend beyond municipal borders. By working together, municipalities and organizations can reinforce each other and develop more effective strategies.
What will the municipalities focus on?
The collaboration will prioritize the following areas:
- improving coordination between municipal authorities and their cultural organizations;
- reaching more residents and ensuring cultural accessibility for everyone;
- promoting the region through cultural initiatives;
- building networks and partnerships with key stakeholders;
- strengthening the cultural sector to meet future demands.
Next steps
The agreement marks an important first step. Following the municipal elections, the municipalities will draft a plan outlining potential joint actions. This plan will detail their shared priorities and expected outcomes, serving as the foundation for a formal cooperation agreement.
Pictured: The signing of the declaration of intent in Gorinchem, with (from left to right): Maarten van Helden (Molenlanden), Jan Dirk van der Borg (Papendrecht), Margreet de Deugd (Alblasserdam), Fatih Polatli (Gorinchem), Cees Paas (Sliedrecht), Reinier Gerritsen (Kunstgebouw), Christa Hendriksen (Hardinxveld-Giessendam).
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