15 Jan 2009 | Culture minister Ronald Plasterk and European affairs minister Frans Timmermans are determined to put Dutch art and culture on the map. In their letter to the House of Representatives entitled ‘Art without Borders’, they describe art and culture policy up to 2012.

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In Mr Timmermans’ view, it’s all about ‘seeing and being seen’. That’s why the two ministers are focusing geographically on cultural hotspots and thematically on Dutch design, fashion and architecture (DDFA) – three disciplines in which the Netherlands excels internationally. They are also devoting attention to culture and development and the Dutch cultural heritage.

The ministers are convinced that the Netherlands can use culture to strengthen its position abroad, including in the domains of development cooperation and human rights. As Mr Timmermans put it: ‘Dutch art is cool’ – which means the Netherlands is cool too! And being cool puts us in a strong position.’

In a parliamentary committee meeting with ministers on 19 November 2008, the House approved the priorities of ‘Art without Borders’. So the ministers can now go ahead with implementation. The agenda for the near future includes major cultural events to mark the Netherlands’ 400-year connection with New York (2009), the Shanghai World Expo (2010), the Ruhr European Capital of Culture (2010), and 400 years of relations between the Netherlands and Turkey (2012).

On 16 December 2008, the DDFA programme was presented to the Dutch press and cultural community. The programme is a joint venture for developing major multidisciplinary DDFA projects, involving close cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Its goals are to expand the market for Dutch cultural projects and to make Dutch art more innovative and competitive. ‘Dutch design’s combination of originality and user friendliness makes it highly regarded internationally – by professionals and the general public alike,’ Mr Plasterk announced.