Sustainability and culture can reinforce each other, but a strong impulse is needed to accelerate the sustainability of the cultural sector. This is stated in the advice 'Culture Natural' of the Council for Culture. The advice is addressed to the cultural sector, as well as to municipalities, provinces, the national culture funds and the departments most involved. The Council calls for more cooperation on this issue. State Secretary Uslu of Culture and Media received the advice today at the Boijmans Depot in Rotterdam.
he cultural sector, like many other sectors, is far from climate neutral and circular, the Council notes. The advice covers the full breadth of the sector: arts, heritage, creative industries and media. Although the sector is motivated, a relatively small group of frontrunners is actually taking action. Moreover, the government still pays too little attention to sustainability and culture. This is in contrast to neighbouring countries. A missed opportunity, according to the council. Not only is the future-proofing of cultural organisations at stake. The cultural sector can also bring the importance of sustainability to the attention of a large audience and use creativity for sustainability solutions that are more widely applicable.
Kristel Baele, president of the Council for Culture: "The cultural sector can use its imagination and change power for its own sustainability and that of the Netherlands, and thus become a legitimate partner for governments and businesses. It is really a pity that the role of culture in the social sustainability transitions is still so underexposed and underused. This is an opportunity for the Netherlands."