The 2026 budget for the Music Hubs in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom has been fully allocated for Aruba and Sint Maarten. Organisations and individual initiators who live and work on these islands can no longer submit plans in 2026. Additional funding for this scheme is expected to become available again in 2027.
Organisations and individual initiators who live and work on Curaçao, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba can still apply this year.
An independent visitation committee, commissioned by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, evaluated the policies and day-to-day operations of the six national cultural funds over the period 2023-2025.
The committee found that the Performing Arts Fund NL operates in a "consistent and coherent" manner and is regarded by applicants and stakeholders as helpful and accessible. The report also includes recommendations for the future, which the Fund will incorporate into its preparations for the new policy period starting in 2029.
What will the performing arts sector look like in 2036? During Fonds on Tour we invite performing arts professionals to join the conversation. Across three events in the Netherlands, we will explore the opportunities, challenges and developments shaping the future of the sector.
Topics include the position of makers, artistic freedom and the future of grant schemes. We will share our first insights and welcome ideas and perspectives from the field.
Please note: Fonds on Tour events will be held in Dutch, and the registration page is available in Dutch only.
The Performing Arts Fund NL has decided to discontinue the New Makers Grant (Also known as New Creators Grant). As a result, no new applications can be submitted from 2027 onwards. Makers who are currently participating in an ongoing trajectory can continue their development process as planned.
Seven Dutch-language plays have been selected for the 2026 Translation Award. Through this award, the Performing Arts Fund NL and Literature Flanders aim to introduce a promising theatre text to the international theatre field, with a particular focus on German-speaking audiences.
The winner will be announced later this autumn. The winning text will be translated into German and presented at the DramatikerInnenfestival in Graz, Austria.
The Open Call for the Van Doesburghuis residency in France opens on 2 November. This residency is intended for performing arts writers and makers (including music, theatre and spoken word artists) seeking time and space to write and develop their work within the context of the French arts scene.
The residency period runs from 4 April to 25 July 2027. During this period, participants can stay and work at the house for one, two or three months. More information will be published on 2 November. Keep an eye on our website and social media channels for updates.
The latest grant decisions have been published for six funding programmes: Music Hubs Caribbean Part of the Kingdom, New Makers (Also known as New Creators), Commissioned Composition and Libretto, Upstream: Music, International Productions in the Netherlands and Dutch Presentations Abroad.
rijkscultuurfondsen.org is looking for a freelance communications professional. The platform is an initiative of the six national cultural funds and helps artists and cultural organisations on Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius and Sint Maarten find suitable funding opportunities. The ideal candidate is based on one of the islands and is proficient in Dutch, English and Papiamento/u.
