Financial and Nominal Support for Cultural Exchange

International exchange between culture makers, creative entrepreneurs and cultural institutions is a source of inspiration and generates new influences and knowledge. Are you interested in cultural exchange with the Netherlands? The Dutch embassy in Japan works to promote Dutch art and culture. We also support access to and the preservation and management of our countries’ shared cultural heritage.

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Japan has funds available for support of cultural projects that strengthen the strategic goals of the embassy and that are in line with the multiannual cultural plan (2025-2028).

Throughout the year we organise various moments for professional artists and designers from the Netherlands or cultural institutions in Japan to apply for financial support. Please find deadlines and criteria below.

For details regarding nominal support, please see the bottom of this page. 

  • Promote (market) opportunities for makers based in the Netherlands with an emphasis on newcomers to Japan. The basic condition is a collaboration with a Japanese organisation (Artist-in-Residence, exhibition space, etc.), preferably with emerging platforms with potential.
    For example: Performance ‘Shadowplay’by Vincent Ruijters

  • (Further) development of established platforms and partnerships in which multiple makers can participate over a longer period of time instead of one-off events.
    For example: Creative Residency Arita
     

  • Participation of makers based in the Netherlands in major cultural events, e.g. Setouchi Triennale, Yokohama Triennale, as this contributes to a stronger Dutch cultural profile in Japan.
    Example: Puck Verkade at Yokohama Trienniale 2024
     

  • Promote knowledge exchange and joint research development in international heritage collaboration, and find solutions to societal challenges.
    Example: Research and collected stories at Tarama, Dutch Trade Post Network

Financial Support

Projects eligible for support are those that:

  • stimulate Dutch-Japan reciprocal, long-term cultural exchange between artists and creatives in Japan and the Netherlands and cultural institutions in both countries;

  • contribute to collaborations in the field of cultural heritage;

  • give creative and cultural professionals from the Netherlands exposure to Japanese audiences and that aid the international ambitions of these artists and creatives.

  • Activities take place in Japan (with an exception online activities organized by Japanese or Dutch cultural organisations aimed at audiences in Japan).
     

  • The activity is yet to take place.
     

  • Only professional organisations (legal entities) can receive funding. Purely commercial activities and amateur arts are not eligible for funding.
     

  • Applications can be submitted by both Japanese and Dutch entities. Applicants based in the Netherlands must have a partner organisation in Japan. There is a strong  priority given to applications from organisations in Japan.
     

  • There is a strong  priority given to applications from organisations applying for the first time.
     

  • The artist(s)/creative(s) from the Netherlands must receive adequate fees. Applicants should prove that fees are in line with, or better than, recognised codes of practice and guidelines set by the relevant lead bodies/trade unions. Contributions from the Dutch Embassy will not exceed 50% of the total costs of the performance/presentation/residency of the Dutch artist(s)/creative(s). 
     

  • Expenses that are not eligible for support are overhead costs.

  • Financial support typically ranges between EUR 2000 and EUR 7.500 (or the equivalent in Japanese yen at a fixed yearly rate), depending on the scope and expected impact of the project.
  • The embassy supports a maximum of EUR 2500 per person for travel and accommodation costs, based on an economy class airplane ticket and four hotel nights (taking into account fluctuations in these costs). Priority is given to applications that concern longer stays in Japan and sustainable ways of travelling are encouraged.
  • The hours that the artist has put into a project should be capitalized. The hours invested in an activity should be added to the budget proposal to provide a full overview of the activity.

  1. Fill out the online form at the bottom of this page.
     

  2. The application will be taken up by one of the policy officers of the Public Diplomacy, Political and Cultural Affairs Section and checked for correctness and completeness. You will receive an confirmation of your application via e-mail. If necessary, extra information can be requested in the weeks following the application deadline.
     

  3. The application will be discussed by the staff members of PPC after which you will be informed about the outcome. Within four weeks after the application deadline, you will receive the decision via e-mail.
     

  4. When a contribution from the Embassy is confirmed, it is a requirement that the participation of the Dutch creative(s) and the support from the Dutch government are clearly mentioned in the (marketing) communications.
     

  5. The recipient of the grant is required to fill out a feedback form with information about visitors numbers, media coverage and possible follow-ups. The template will be provided with the confirmation of the grant. 

Please note: filling out an application does not guarantee that a contribution will be provided. Priority is given to first-time appliers over past recipients of a contribution.

For questions about projects that do not fit the above, please contact us. We are always interested in proposals for other forms of collaboration.

Monday 28 September 09:00hr JST for activities in the period of November 2026 until February 2027.

  • For activities that fall outside the mentioned time range for the next deadline, please consult us by sending a mail at TOK-ICB@minbuza.nl .
  • Applications should be sumitted online via the form at the bottom of this page.

Online Form

Form

Nominal Support

The Embassy can provide nominal support (後援) for projects in Japan that have a clear connection to the Netherlands.

Please complete the application form for nominal support (  download link ) and send it to TOK-PPC@minbuza.nl . Once your application has been reviewed, you will be notified of the outcome by email.

Please note:
  • Approval of nominal support does not include any financial or monetary support.
  • The Public Diplomacy, Political and Cultural Affairs Department of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands assumes no legal obligation or liability for any damage incurred during the preparation, organization, or completion of the event.
  • If any information provided in the application is found to be false, the approval may be withdrawn.
  • If there are any substantial changes to the application after approval has been granted, please inform us as soon as possible.