Cultural Policy In The Netherlands

Summary: "Cultural Policy in the Netherlands, Edition 2009" deals with the three areas covered by Dutch cultural policy: (1) cultural heritage (museums, heritage conservation, archaeological heritage, and archives); (2) media (broadcasting and the press), literature and libraries; and (3) the arts (the fine arts, the performing arts, photography and design, architecture, film, the amateur arts, and cultural education). The book also considers a number of cultural policy themes, for example cultural diversity, the National History Museum , and international cultural policy. "Cultural Policy in the Netherlands, Edition 2009" is intended for everyone interested in Dutch cultural policy, its history, and recent trends in the field. This edition covers policy up to the beginning of 2009, although the statistics presented relate mainly to the 2005-2008 funding period.

At the occasion of the 25 anniversary of the Dutch Cultural Policy Act, Dutch academics in cultural policy research have compiled a volume to commemorate the quarter century in which Dutch cultural policy has developed and analyse the key debates in Dutch cultural policy for the coming years. Historically, central public authority in the Netherlands has been problematic. The country's origin as a confederation of seven independent republics, has had effect in the sense that government usually works 'bottom up'. As a result the Netherlands has relatively few national cultural institutions when compared to other countries. Moreover, the national media never have been linked to the nation state. It is therefore surprising that the nation's cultural policy can be described as a national system in which the nation state sets the agenda rather than cities and regions.

Over the last 25 years there has been increasing pressure for the regions to assert their authority. This publication is an overview of regional issues and cultural policy in Europe. It looks at the relationship between cultural identity and a geographical area, regional autonomy, cultural dynamics and administrative devolution of cultural affairs.

Who are the people in the Netherlands with an active interest in cultural heritage and the performing arts, and who prefer to leave these forms of culture alone? Have the size and composition of the groups of 'culture-lovers' and 'culture-leavers' changed since the end of the 1970s? These are the central questions in this concise descriptive study. It considers not only visits to cultural institutions such as museums and concert halls, but also the consumption of culture via the media and active cultural participation through the amateur arts. Trends in total participation are presented against the background of continuity and change in cultural output. More women than men have an interest in cultural activity, and more better-educated than less well-educated people. The level of cultural interest among the better-educated has declined, but thanks to the rising education level this has not (yet?) been translated into a lower overall level of cultural interest. Among middle-aged people, the main growth area has been in their interest in popular culture. At the end of this report a number of scenarios from earlier studies on the position of culture in the midst of increasing competition for people's leisure time are subjected to scrutiny.