New Year's greeting Kristel Baele, chair of the Council for Culture

Council for Culture, Netherlands,
15 January 2025, Netherlands

"In the past year, the cultural and creative sector was once again faced with major challenges. Rising costs, inflation and the announced VAT increase made 2024 very challenging for institutions, artists, makers and audiences. Yet we saw how the sector kept moving, supported by joint efforts, great adaptability and the shared conviction that art and culture are invaluable.

In 2024, we assessed applications for the Basic Cultural Infrastructure (BIS) 2025-2028. After an intensive assessment process, 115 institutions received a positive advice. All institutions in the BIS contribute to a richly varied, nationally spread cultural offer and to the artistic development of talented artists, designers, makers, directors, dancers and musicians. BIS institutions also make educational projects possible, so that children and young people also come into contact with art and culture.

We also gave further direction to current issues and future-proof solutions. For example, we published the 'Access to culture' ordering advice, with contributions from hundreds of stakeholders in the field. We also issued advice on how to deal with colonial archives and documentary collections. In the autumn, we visited Tilburg and Breda, where discussions took place that provided valuable input for our advice and further policy development.

In 2025, we will continue to work diligently for a resilient sector. We are working on an advisory report on governance, in which we formulate guidelines and recommendations for good governance and transparency within the cultural sector. In addition, we issue opinions on the influence of artificial intelligence on the culture and media sector, as well as on artistic and journalistic freedom and financial stability.

On behalf of the Council for Culture, I would like to thank everyone who has worked in 2024, by contributing ideas, keeping us on our toes or participating in committees. Without your involvement and commitment, our work would not be possible. We look forward to all the great things that the cultural season and media programming in 2025 will bring us. Let's continue to build together on a sector that continues to connect and innovate."

- Kristel Baele, chair of the Council for Culture

https://www.raadvoorcultuur.nl/actueel/nieuws/2025/01/08/nieuwjaarswens-kristel-baele-voorzitter-raad-voor-cultuur