Performing Arts Fund NL

The Performing Arts Fund NL is one of the six public cultural funds and supports professional artists and performers in their work. The Fund exists for the full range of performing arts: music, theatre, musical theatre, dance and festivals. We invest in artistic development and support the production, presentation and promotion of professional performing arts in and from the Netherlands. We also encourage experimentation and pushing the boundaries of disciplines. 

We invest in a strong and vibrant climate for the performing arts for present and future generations on behalf of the Dutch government and in association with the performing arts sector. We focus on the entire Netherlands and the Dutch Caribbean, promoting Dutch performing arts internationally.   

Who do we support?

We support professional performing artists. This includes: 

• Musicians, playwrights and dancers who perform their work on stage and at festivals, for example, as well as companies or collectives of creators. We support applicants from age 18 and above; 
• As a performing artist, your main goal must be to present your work live in front of an audience. This is something to which we are happy to contribute. What the Fund does not support are projects focused on volunteer participation and education. This is something for which you should approach the Cultural Participation Fund;   
• Ideally, you are in receipt of financial compensation for the work you create or perform and you collaborate with other performing arts professionals;  
• It is not a prerequisite that you have graduated in the arts. We also welcome self-taught creators who approach us for grants and advice on how to obtain them.  
• We also provide support to venues and festivals that programme professional performances and concerts. These are the performances/concerts by performing artists that we mentioned above.  

Request a chat with us

Are you unsure whether you qualify for a grant or do you have questions about your specific situation and how it might fit with our grant opportunities? Feel free to request a chat with our colleague Kaajal Bachoe.