A group of visual arts organisations receive direct state funding via the national basic infrastructure (BIS). In 2025-2028, these included 6 presentatie-instellingen (non-profit art venues without an own collection) and 4 post-academic institutions (institutions where talented artists are supported in developing their art practice after finishing art school) (see also chapter 1.1).
There are 61 museums specialized in visual arts, of which some are funded based on the Heritage Act (such as the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam), and some are funded by a local government (like Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam).
The Mondriaan Fund aims to stimulate the development and visibility of the visual arts and cultural heritage in the Netherlands. It provides financial support in areas where a profitable market does not exist (yet). Many of the Mondriaan Fund’s grants are aimed at encouraging cooperation between organisations, artists, mediators, clients and/or other private or public parties. It grants funding for various target groups and areas including visual artists, institutions, mediators of clients in the visual arts and/or cultural heritage fields. Furthermore, it organises development programmes for promotion and innovation in the visual arts, such as the Prix de Rome. The Mondriaan Fund is also responsible for the Dutch entries for the Venice Biennale.
There are 451 galleries (2025) in The Netherlands, including 9 that only work online. A group of around 100 galleries participated in a private arts buyers’ scheme (Kunst Koop) executed by The Mondrian Fund. Through the latter, people can buy art on credit without interest.
The Mondriaan Fund also manages the National Acquisition Fund for Museums (Nationaal aankoopfonds). These investments are meant for museums to purchase artworks of national interest.
The Indemnity Scheme is a government arrangement, established in 2005, whereby the State guarantees compensation for damage of artworks on loan. Instead of the lending museum or institution taking out insurance themselves, the State provides a guarantee (indemnity) that covers the financial risks. This makes it more attractive for museums to lend valuable objects for exhibitions, both nationally and internationally. In 2022, the insurable volume was increased from €150 million to €450 million.
The Decentralization Grant for Visual Arts and Design has been renewed for the period 2025–2028. The scheme is administered by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) and is intended to support municipalities in promoting visual arts and design at the local level. An amount of €13.5 million has been allocated, and municipalities are expected to match this funding.
Through the Percentage Scheme for Visual Arts (Percentageregeling – in Dutch), the Dutch Government Real Estate Agency is the largest commissioner of visual art in the Netherlands. This scheme means that when building, renovating, or purchasing real estate, a percentage of the budget is allocated to art. The percentage is linked to the size of the budget. The scheme applies when the construction or renovation budget exceeds €1,000,000. The Percentage Scheme has resulted in an extensive collection of more than 5,000 artworks. The collection includes sculptures, photographs, paintings, installations, and other forms of art in and around government buildings.
For more details, see Culture Monitor – Visual Arts and Collectieve Selfie #5.
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