PROJECT SUBSIDIES FOR CULTURAL PARTICIPATION

The scheme is aimed at activities involving and intended for people living in Amsterdam who engage in art and culture in their free time as an interest, passion or hobby. This could be as an active culture maker – such as a screen printer, actor in a drama group, word artist or DJ – or as an organising culture maker – such as someone who voluntarily organises a neighbourhood cultural festival or exhibition. If it is your intention to earn your livelihood from the arts, we consider you to be a professional artist for whom we have a different scheme.

Applications may be submitted by individuals residing in the municipality of Amsterdam or by foundations or associations with a registered office and/or visiting address in the municipality of Amsterdam.

In 2021, Amsterdam-based individuals, foundations or associations can also temporarily apply for extracurricular cultural education. Educational institutions may not apply.

What activities do not fall under this scheme?

• In-school cultural education activities – i.e. art classes in the classroom or teaching activities that are part of the curriculum – are not eligible for a Cultural Participation project subsidy.
• Regular activities, such as an annual final concert, are not eligible for a Cultural Participation project subsidy. Contributions towards the structural costs of a company making culture fall under the Two-Year Cultural Participation Subsidy.
• If you are not sure whether or not your plan fits into this scheme, please contact our member of staff. You can find their contact details on our Staff Members page.

Cultural and/or creative projects carried out wholly or partly in the municipality of Amsterdam and accessible to the public. The emphasis of the scheme lies on the cultural/creative process for the participants.

Culture makers associated with a foundation or association that has existed for longer (at least three years) who want to give a quality boost to their activities and strengthen their position in the Amsterdam cultural field can submit a development application. For example, they can invest in experimenting with other forms of presentation, recruiting members/participants, attracting donors, reaching new audiences and digitising activities and presentations.

If you would like to submit an application, please read the scheme and explanatory notes which cover all the conditions and criteria.

• The minimum amount you can apply for under the Cultural Participation Scheme is €1,500.
• Individuals can apply for up to a maximum of €10,000. There is no maximum amount for associations and foundations.
• Associations and foundations can apply for a maximum amount of €10,000 for a development plan.
• Individuals can apply for up to a maximum amount of €10,000 for extracurricular cultural education. Associations and foundations can apply for a maximum amount of €25,000 for this purpose.

Applications can be submitted at any time but only via the My AFK digital platform. You will receive a decision within 13 weeks. We look forward to receiving your application!

Please be sure to read the scheme and explanatory notes before submitting your application. This page gives only a brief outline of the options and what is and is not possible. You can download the scheme and explanatory notes from this page.

It may also be useful to consult the Application Form in 5 steps.