For the first time, we can present short profiles simultaneously of Flanders (the Flemish-speaking community of Belgium) and Wallonia (the French speaking community of Belgium).
Thank you very much for the great efforts and help from our Belgian experts Simon Leenknegt (Flanders) and Jean-Gilles Lowies (Wallonia).
The two reports outline the commonalities and diversities within Belgium, which makes it a very special and enriching country!
Key Cultural Policy Developments: Belgium (Flanders)
- Priorities of Flemish cultural policy (2024-2029):
- These include, among others, realising a pluralistic and inclusive cultural sector, heralding culture as an essentially public good, encouraging cross-sectoral collaboration, reconfiguring the relationships between museums of art, and laying down fundamentals for future cultural policy. A new legislative framework called the ‘Codex cultuur’ is being developed to further integrate policies across different cultural sectors.
- Specific budget cuts (2026–2027):
- As part of a series of austerity measures in different policy fields, budget cuts are implemented in specific cultural schemes and sectors, including funding for cultural heritage, amateur arts, the state cultural awards (Ultimas), expertise centres, cultural infrastructure projects, as well as project-based grants for circus arts and supralocal cultural policy initiatives.
- Pressure on the autonomy of the cultural sector:
- Tensions over the autonomy of the cultural field have intensified as the government overruled positive expert panel assessments, defunding six socio-cultural organisations over alleged ties to civil disobedience groups. This decision fits in a broader trend in which the balance between governing at arm’s length and political primacy tips to the latter.
- Decree on the restitution of Nazi-confiscated art:
- Policy initiatives were taken to establish a restitution commission and a framework of procedures for treating restitution claims. These aim to implement the 1998 Washington Conference Principles.
Key Cultural Policy Developments: Belgium (French Community / Wallonia-Brussels Federation)
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Reform of the Arts Framework (Décret relatif aux Arts de la Scène) & Multi-Annual Subsidies:
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Implementation and consolidation of the governance framework regulating performing arts and creative sectors, aiming for structured 5-year funding cycles, improved transparency in peer-review evaluations, and stronger support for emerging artists.
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Support for Art Workers & Status Governance:
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Active integration of national social protection reforms for culture workers (Working in the Arts / Statuut van de Kunstwerker). Emphasis on enforcing fair remuneration standards (Fair Practice Code), combating precarity, and improving employment conditions across subsidized cultural institutions.
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Evolution of the Cultural Centres Framework (Décret Centre Culturel):
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Ongoing focus on territorial coverage, citizen participation, and socio-cultural cohesion across Wallonia and Brussels, encouraging cultural centres to act as drivers for local democracy, inclusion, and community engagement.
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Digital Transformation and Audiovisual Strategy:
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Adaptation of media and audiovisual policies under the Conseil Supérieur de l’Audiovisuel (CSA) to regulate digital streaming platforms, ensure quota compliance for local French-language content, and boost funding for domestic film and TV production (Centre du Cinéma et de l’Audiovisuel).
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Diversity, Accessibility, and Climate Action:
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Stronger policy integration focusing on gender equality, anti-discrimination, and physical/financial accessibility to cultural venues.
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Development of sustainability guidelines to support cultural organizations in reducing their carbon footprint and transitioning toward eco-friendly production methods.
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You can find all available Short Cultural Policy Profiles on the Compendium website.
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