Funding for Dutch culture in the UK

The Embassy calls all UK-based cultural organisations that regularly include international arts and culture in their programme to consider working with arts professionals and designers from the Netherlands. With its annual cultural budget the Embassy might be able to cover some of the costs for such collaborations. UK-based cultural organisations can apply for funding when they include Netherlands-based artists in their programming for 2024.
Please read our funding criteria below.

Requests for funding should be submitted at least six weeks before the start of the project, to allow us time to asses the proposal and - in case of a successful application - proceed with the payment process.

How to apply

UK-based professional arts and design organisations can apply for funding via the Dutch Embassy by submitting a project proposal and a detailed budget.

Please contact us to request an application form

Applications will be assessed according to these criteria

• Applications can only be submitted by UK-based cultural organisations that have a proven track record of working with international artists/designers.
• Funding can only be requested to support participation of Netherlands-based arts/design profesionals in UK-based cultural activities.
• The start of the activity is in 2024 and the activity is yet to take place. Funding cannot be granted once the activity has started or after the activity has ended.
• The organisational and artistic quality of the participating parties must be undisputed.
• Only professional organisations (legal entities) can receive funding.
• If applicable, mention how the proposed activity will contribute to enhancing bilateral relations between the UK and the Netherlands and/or in what ways it contributes to achieving the SDGs.
• The application for a contribution from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the United Kingdom must include a detailed description of the planned activity, including the date(s) and location(s) of the activity, the names and contact details of the British and Dutch partners collaborating in that activity and a full list of financiers/sponsors.
• The application must include a full and detailed budget of all costs involved. This budget must clearly show which costs the applicant wants to cover with Embassy funds and which costs are covered by other parties. Please supply the names of the other funders.
• The proposal needs to substantiate how the activity helps to build a relevant international audience/network/experience for the artist(s)/designer(s) from the Netherlands.
• The artist(s)/designer(s) from the Netherlands must receive adequate fees, obeying the Dutch Fair Practice Code. 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. Embassy funds cannot be used to pay fees.
• Contributions from the Dutch Embassy should not exceed 50% of the total costs of including the Dutch artist(s)/designer(s) in the cultural programme.
• The Embassy can provide contributions between £1,500 and £10,000.
• Purely commercial activities are not eligible for support.
• Expenses that are eligible for support are transportation, travel, accommodation and marketing. The proposal needs to specify the travel and accommodation dates. We encourage UK arts organisations invite Netherlands-based artists over for longer than just one performance or merely the opening of an exhibition. Funding requests can include an extended stay for Dutch creatives which enables them to participate in a public programme or build stronger connections with international art and design professionals and/or the general British public.
• Contributions towards PR/marketing and event documentation (AV, photography) are limited to a maximum of 10% of the total support per proposal.
• Funding requests for flights will not be granted if the journey can be made by international train and local public transport in under 8 hours (door to door). In those instances, please request funding for more sustainable modes of travel.
• Expenses that are not eligible for support are overhead costs (staff salaries, rent, office supplies). The fees for the artists/designers from the Netherlands are also not eligible for support. Please do specify all these costs in the application form and provide information on how these costs are covered (e.g. mention the names of the other funders, expected ticket sales, etc.).
• When a contribution from the Dutch Embassy is received, it is a requirement that the participation of the Netherlands-based artist(s) and the support from the Dutch government are clearly mentioned in the (marketing) communications. We also expect an invitation for the Cultural Attache at the Dutch Embassy in London to attend the cultural activity, and perhaps speak a few words.