Het Cultuurfonds
in English
The Cultuurfonds supports culture and nature in the Netherlands, Suriname and the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Every year, it invests more than €50 million in over 4,100 projects and people.
Founded in London in 1940, The Cultuurfonds continued its work after the war as a fund supporting cultural life in the Netherlands. The fund aims to make culture and nature accessible to everyone and supports initiatives that help people meet, understand and inspire one another. This is made possible by contributions from the VriendenLoterij and Nederlandse Loterij, donations, gifts in wills and support from partners.
What we support
Associations, foundations, individual makers and collectives can apply for funding for cultural or nature projects. The Cultuurfonds also invests in culture and nature on its own initiative. Support is available across a wide range of fields, including architecture, visual arts, dance, heritage, film, history, literature, fashion, monuments, multidisciplinary projects, music, nature, theatre and design. The fund pays attention to new voices, underrepresented perspectives and long-term impact.
Awards and prizes
The Cultuurfonds awards several national and regional prizes to celebrate outstanding contributions to culture and nature. These include the Cultuurfonds Prijs and the Cultuurfonds Onderscheiding, as well as other prizes for exceptional talent, craftsmanship and long-term commitment. Examples include:
- Cultuurfonds Prijs: one of the fund’s leading awards, honouring an outstanding contribution to culture or nature.
- Cultuurfonds Onderscheiding: recognises volunteers whose dedication and work have made a significant and lasting difference to culture or nature.
- Cultuurfonds Vertaalprijs Martinus Nijhoff: recognises literary translators who have built an exceptional body of work and bring languages, stories and perspectives together.
- Cultuurfonds Talentprijs Charlotte Köhler: supports talented makers up to the age of 35 and encourages them to take the next step in their artistic development.
Study grants
The Cultuurfonds awards study grants to talented students and makers, enabling them to continue their education or professional development abroad.
Apply for funding
Apply for fundingMakers, foundations, associations and collectives with a cultural or nature project can apply for funding. This page is available in Dutch.
Support the Cultuurfonds
Support the CultuurfondsDonors and partners can help make culture and nature accessible to everyone. This page is available in Dutch.
Contact
Do you have a question about The Cultuurfonds or would you like to know more? Please get in touch.