Visitation committee praises strong ties between the national cultural funds and their sectors

30 September 2026

The committee found that each of the national cultural funds maintains strong ties with applicants, its respective field and the cultural sector. It emphasises the importance of a clear strategic positioning of the funds, based on a well-defined policy framework provided by the ministry. This would allow the funds to make even better use of their specialist expertise and signalling function, while creating more room to respond to emerging issues and changing circumstances in support of their sectors’ development. It would also enable them to make better use of impact steering.

Chair Inge Brakman: ‘The strength of the funds lies [...] not only in the careful implementation of grant schemes, but also in their connection with makers and society. More than any other sector, the cultural sector has the ability to imagine, question and connect.’

Clear expectations

The committee sees opportunities for greater coordination on issues that transcend the boundaries of individual sectors, such as artificial intelligence and sustainability. It is positive about the joint approach in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, where the funds have collectively invested in visibility, accessibility and support, including through a multilingual website and dedicated grant schemes. The committee also notes that the scope of activities has broadened and that both the regional spread and the diversity of applicants have increased across all funds.

The committee further concludes that the funds’ communication has improved by creating clear expectations for applicants, both before an application is submitted and when communicating the final decision. At the same time, it observes that pressure on available resources, combined with rising expectations of the funds, has led to disappointment across many sectors. This requires choices to be made regarding the prioritisation of resources and objectives.

About the Fund

With regard to the Creative Industries Fund NL, the committee sees a fund that has developed on several fronts during the current policy period. This cultural fund for design, architecture and digital culture has strengthened its position within the design sector in recent years and is making an impact internationally. By working with scouts across all regions of the Kingdom, the Fund has taken important steps to become more accessible. Collaboration with other funds and partners also contributes to a broad and diverse approach to the sector.

In addition, the organisation has adapted well to a significant increase in workload and, according to the committee, has a set of instruments that functions effectively overall, particularly in relation to open calls. Looking ahead, the main opportunity lies in further sharpening the Fund’s positioning so that professionals working in the design sector understand what they can approach the Fund for. With clear strategic choices, an appropriate assessment system and continued attention to inclusivity and social safety, the Fund can further strengthen its substantive role and social relevance. We will take these findings into account when developing plans for the next policy period.

Applicants are positive

The evaluation report includes a number of concrete recommendations that the Creative Industries Fund NL will be working on in the coming period. Valuable insights have also emerged from the applicant survey commissioned by the Fund in 2026.

Applicants are positive about the way the Fund supports experimentation, research and talent development within the design sector. The survey further shows that three quarters of applicants are positive about our services during the period 2023–2025. This positive assessment is primarily driven by constructive contact with helpful and knowledgeable staff. Two thirds of respondents are satisfied with the application procedure, although criticism has become more pronounced since 2025.

Part of this criticism relates to the first come, first served principle introduced in 2025 for several grant schemes, which applicants experienced as stressful and not always fair. The Fund acknowledges the impact of this system and therefore introduced a draw procedure in 2026. Applicants also see opportunities to further strengthen the design infrastructure and to enhance the contribution of design to societal challenges. Read the applicant survey (in Dutch only).

About the evaluation committee

The evaluation committee consisted of Inge Brakman (Chair), Farid Tabarki, Irene Costera Meijer, Werner Schouten, Ann Overbergh and Maike Olij (Secretary). The committee’s report was formally presented on 30 September to Youssef Louakili, Director-General for Culture and Media at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. Read the visitation report (in Dutch only).