In the Netherlands, provinces as well as municipalities are responsible for the implementation of their own cultural policies. The central government is responsible for the financial and the legislative framework and the support of cultural institutions of national importance, while the provinces take responsibility for regional distribution and the maintenance of institutions beyond municipal borders. They are also responsible for the accessibility of arts education facilities in the provincial regions, cultural heritage and spatial planning.
National and regional synchronisation
The policy coordination among the three government tiers is outlined in the General Framework for Intergovernmental Relations concerning Culture (Algemeen kader interbestuurlijke verhoudingen cultuur, 2012). The (non-legal) framework, still in force, is based upon consultation between the Association of Provinces of the Netherlands (IPO), the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG) and the central government.
The framework includes policy priorities and the distribution of finances over the cultural sectors, funds and programmes. It forms the basis for the development of the cultural covenants between the partners involved and elaborates on the division of tasks between the three governmental tiers. All matters that deal with linking central government policy to the policies of the provinces and municipalities are discussed on an annual basis. Minister Eppo Bruins has signed nine cultural covenants with provinces, municipalities and cultural regions for the 2025–2028 period. For the first time, all twelve provinces are part of the agreements. This makes the covenants align more closely with the administrative structure of the Netherlands than the previous ones.
There is a long tradition in discussing the importance of a stronger cooperation and synchronisation between national and regional cultural policy. In its advice Access to culture – towards a new system in 2029 the Council of Culture proposed the creation of a single, overarching culture fund with an extended regional role (see chapter 2.1). Another recent element in the discussion is the so-called ‘duty of care for culture’ for local and regional authorities, which was argued for in parliament. Following the example of the Public Library Act, which will be expanded to include a duty of care for municipalities to provide a public library (see chapter 4.2.4). Shortly after the elections in 2025, the new parliament voted for this new Public Library Act.
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