A group of performing arts organisations receive direct state funding via the national basic infrastructure (BIS). In 2025-2028 these included: 9 theatre companies. 5 dance companies, 3 opera companies, 9 festivals, 7 choirs and music ensembles (including one rock band), 9 symphony orchestras and 13 youth performing arts companies (see also chapter 1.1).
The Performing Arts Fund NL supports other individuals and cultural institutions in performing arts. There are grants for text and composition, producing (including new talents), programming of venues and festivals, international activities (including coproductions and presentations abroad). A group of festivals and institutions gets multi-year grants. Each subsidy has its own rules and criteria. In recent years, there has been more focus on the geographical distribution of the grants.
The maintenance and management of theatre, music and opera buildings is the responsibility of the local government (see chapter 1.2.4), but the performing arts funds gives specific programming support to stimulate talent and innovation.
Over the years, the government’s support-system in the performing arts has become more open to non-mainstream music forms and the classical canon. In the BIS-period 2021-2024, the band The Staat became the first rock group to be part of the BIS. The performing Arts Fund has for example grants for Music hubs (for pop, hip hop_and dance).
For more information, see Culture Monitor – performing arts.
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