Between 2025 and 2028, Performing Arts Fund NL will receive an additional 9.6 million euros annually from the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW). These funds are intended to strengthen the position of makers and other cultural professionals and were originally made available by former State Secretary Uslu.
The funding is distributed across several grant schemes, including both multi-year and project-based programmes. The primary focus is to improve remuneration for artists and other professionals working in the cultural sector.
Venues and festivals play an important role in the payment of performing artists and performers. Performances and tours by companies, bands, artists and ensembles rely heavily on performance fees and buy-out fees. Research has shown that these fees are under pressure, partly due to the limited financial resources available to presenting organisations.
In consultation with the Ministry of OCW, Performing Arts Fund NL therefore decided to distribute part of the fair pay funding through presenting organisations via the Venue Grant Scheme and the new Programming and Presentation Contribution Scheme.
As a result, subsidies awarded through the Programming and Presentation Contribution Scheme to 239 organisations have been increased by more than 30%. A total of 573,000 euros per year in fair pay funding is being distributed through this route, enabling presenting organisations to make better arrangements regarding fees and ensuring that the funding directly benefits professional makers in the performing arts.
In 2025, Performing Arts Fund NL committed to exploring, together with the Pop Musicians Chain Table (Ketentafel Popmusici), how fair pay funding could contribute to improving remuneration for pop artists performing at venues.
The Fund has now decided to contribute 1,907,000 euros to the Fair Pop Fund for the period 2026-2028. Through this initiative, Dutch pop acts can apply for support to supplement their performance fees when performing at VNPF-affiliated pop venues.
Performing Arts Fund NL previously announced how the fair pay funding is distributed across its other grant schemes.