<p>Visit the culture portal for the Netherlands - <a href="http://www.cultuurwijs.nl" target="_blank">Cultuurwijs</a><br />
<a href="http://www.minocw.nl/english/doc/2003/culturalpolicy2003nl.pdf" target="_blank">Cultural Policy in the Netherlands</a></p>

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<p><strong>The Mandate</strong></p>

<p>Established by legislation in 1995, the Council for Culture is the statutory advisory body to the Dutch government on issues of cultural policy. The Council is an independent institution which presents recommendations on the basis of expertise.</p>

<p>The organization serves professional arts, amateur arts, music and music theatre, theatre, dance, visual arts and design, heritage, museums and galleries, libraries, archives, archeology, writing and literature, book publishing, media arts, film, video, television, multi-media, broadcasting and arts education.</p>

<p>The Council</p>

<ul>
<li>advises the national government on matters related to the arts/culture on 4 levels (supra-sectoral, sectoral, institutional, implementational)</li>
<li>evaluates national arts/cultural policies</li>
<li>conducts research in the arts/culture</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>The Governing Body</strong></p>

<p>The Council gives advice concerning the cultural policies of the government. Members are appointed by the crown for a four-year term on the recommendation of the Minister of Education, Culture and Science at the suggestion of an independent committee.</p>

<p>The 25 members of the Council are selected on criteria such as expertise, age, cultural background (origin), gender, and geographical location. Openings are advertized in several newspapers. Anyone who is interested and thinks he or she is suitable for the job can apply.</p>

<p><strong>The Staff</strong></p>

<p>The 40 staff members belong to the Netherlands public service. The chief executive officer is appointed by the governing body. The staff who have direct program responsibilities come from the field. The Council does not have regional offices.</p>

<p><strong>Relationship with Government</strong></p>

<p>The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science is the government department with which the Council has the closest relationship.</p>

<p>The Council usually presents recommendations following a request thereto by the government. The Council occasionally presents unsolicited recommendations</p>

<p>The Council is subject to the same regular regulations on accountability required of all government bodies.</p>

<p>The government</p>

<ul>
<li>establishes the overall policies within which the organization works</li>
<li>appoints staff members</li>
<li>establishes the organizations current priorities</li>
</ul>

<p>The Council</p>

<ul>
<li>submits financial accounts audited by the government auditor or an auditor appointed by the government</li>
<li>establishes its own strategic plan</li>
<li>determines the allocation of the budget to various programs and activities</li>
<li>cooperates with independent funding bodies</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Budget and Revenue Sources</strong></p>

<p>The Council&#39;s total budget in the current year is 5,301,000 guilders ($2,305,000 U.S. dollars) provided entirely by the national government according to a legally obligated contribution from the government. Over the last five years, government funding has increased.</p>

<p><strong>Assessment of Applications for Financial Support</strong></p>

<p>In order to qualify for subsidy, institutions file a request at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. The Council for Culture advises on these requests. Assessors are selected on the basis of their expertise by other committee members. Assessors make recommendations on funding to the Ministry.</p>

<p>To prevent conflict of interest, assessors cannot be selected more than two times within a four-year period and, in cases of conflict, are temporarily excluded from the committee.</p>

<p><strong>Greatest Current Challenge</strong></p>

<p>The Council is currently advising on the possible allocation of long-term grants to specific institutions. These grants are allocated once every four years and cover all sectors.</p>

<p><strong>Greatest Current Strength</strong></p>

<p>The fact that members are selected according to their extensive knowledge of cultural policy is the Council&#39;s main strength.</p>

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