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Advisor - Australia | China I Japan I South Korea
Email
i.yang [at] dutchculture.nl
China
China & the Netherlands
After decades of rapid development, China now ranks as the world’s second-largest economy and a significant player in global geopolitics. With a huge market and enthusiastic (younger generation) audience, this robust Asian country has a great need for cultural and artistic content in a variety of disciplines – from contemporary art, dance theatre, to graphic design, art management and electronic dance music. Despite the challenges, it still attracts cultural makers and institutions from the Netherlands to work with China, because of the country’s fascinating future-oriented energy as well as its enriched traditions. The Netherlands and China have built a reciprocal partnership in cultural cooperation, both on the public/governmental level and in the private sector.
Collaboration and difference
Despite the demand and wide variety of opportunities in China for the Dutch cultural sector, cultural and societal differences can cause major obstacles in gaining access to and building up a network in China. The role of the government and funding resources for cultural activities in China are often different from what we are used to in the Netherlands. The growing influence of China on the rest of the world also requires particular attention and resilience in international collaboration with the country.
Information & advice
Want to know more about opportunities for cultural exchange with China? Check the links, FAQs, infographics and activities below. Feel free to contact our advisor for China if you have any questions.
Please note that DutchCulture is not a funding body.
Advisor
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Year:
China at a glance
218 registered activities in 2025
featuring 101 artists
featuring 101 artists
Number of activities
12 months (2025)
12 months (2025)
Activities by
discipline in 2025
discipline in 2025
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Frequently asked questions
- 1. Where can I find funding within the Netherlands?
Are you looking for (international) funding? Check our general funding page for different funding guides, grants and open calls, or the digital Cultural Mobility Funding Guide for the Netherlands for regional, private and international (mobility) funding.
In the Netherlands the means for international cultural cooperation are delegated to the national funds. The fund that works for your art form or artistic discipline, has one or several subsidy schemes for internationalisation. To make sure the program fits your project, you can contact the advisors of the fund before starting the process of application.
Design, Creative Industries, Architecture, Digital Culture
Creative Industries Fund NL
> International Vouchers
> Internationalization of the Design Sector Grant Scheme
> New Procedures in Collaboration with Embassies AbroadNieuwe Instituut
>International Visitors Programme
Visual Arts, HeritageMondriaan Fund
> Subsidy for International Art Presentation to present work by living artists based in the Kingdom of the NetherlandsTheater, Dance, Music
Performing Arts Fund
> Grants for foreign organisations to invite artists based in the Kingdom of the Netherlands
> Internationalisation grants for artists based in the Kingdom of the NetherlandsAudiovisual media, Film, Documentary
Dutch Film Fund
>The Film Fund has several subsidy schemes to support co-productions and distribution (film & documentary).Literature
Dutch Foundation for Literature
> Translation grants for foreign publishers
> Travel grantsParticipation, Education, Communal arts, Cooperations, Projects with non-professionals
Cultural Participation Fund
> FundingsHeritage
International Heritage Cooperation is part of the Netherlands’ international cultural policy. The embassies of the Netherlands in the partner countries have a budget for supporting local cultural heritage projects. DutchCulture manages a Matching Fund. Dutch legal entities (companies and registered freelancers) are able to apply for partial funding for an international heritage cooperation project.
DutchCulture supports international heritage cooperation between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Europe. The Europe + Heritage programme offers advice, a Travel Scheme (vouchers of €350-€1000) and a General Support Scheme (maximum €5.000) for heritage professionals and heritage organisations based in the Kingdom of the Netherlands who wish to visit a European partner, invite a European partner or set up a cooperation with a European partner. Heritage can be both tangible and intangible.
Other
The Netherlands Enterprise Agency is not a national fund but also offers, on behalf of various ministries and the European Union, subsidies for companies in the creative industries.
- 2. Where can I find funding within China?
China (the Mainland) does not have a comparable system of cultural subsidies as The Netherlands. Some public cultural institutions are financed by the national or regional governments; some independent institutions - art museums, cultural centres, festivals, etc. - are established and sponsored by state-owned or private corporations.
Funding for cultural cooperation projects by governmental or private organizations, if at all, usually materialises through the local partner organization not in an immediate way for international partners. It is generally difficult to generate direct financial support through open source, however, mutual trust, interest and friendship are always the base of funding possibilities. We advise you to discuss with your Chinese counterpart the best way to gain financial support for your project.
The diplomatic network of the Netherlands in China has an extensive network in the local cultural sector and in-depth knowledge of its cultural institutions, organizations and venues. The Embassy and Consulate Generals can advise on opportunities for cooperation. In addition, they can provide support to Dutch cultural organizations that collaborate with Chinese counterparts. You can find their contacts here.
Doing your research beforehand and finding local partners is essential. You can use the DutchCulture Database by simply going to the search option in the upper left corner, and searching for 'China' or any city you are interested in. This way you will see which Dutch artists are already active in which areas. You may also contact our advisor for cultural cooperation with China here.- 3. Are there other funding opportunities?
Since 2012, the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) and On the Move (OTM) have jointly presented the Mobility Funding Guides for International Cultural Exchange for the 51 countries of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), which includes China. These guides provide a comprehensive and updated list of funding opportunities for the cultural mobility of artists and cultural practitioners in Asia and Europe, where cultural mobility is defined as “the temporary cross-border movement of artists and other cultural professionals.” You can find the Mobility Funding Guide for China (2017, 2024) here.
- 4. What visa do I need?
From 30 November 2024 (00:00 GMT+8) to 31 December 2026 (24:00 GMT+8), China pilots an optimized unilateral visa waiver policy to the Netherlands. Dutch citizens holding valid ordinary passports for business, tourism, family visit, exchange and transit purposes, are exempted from visa to enter China, and stay for no more than 30 days from the date of their entry. Those who do not meet the above mentioned travel purposes and time limit for visa exemption or holding other passports or travel documents still need to apply for visa before entering into China.
You can find clear information on the visa website of the Chinese Embassy in The Hague, inquire about information and apply for the specific visa you need from the Chinese Visa Application Centre in The Hague.
If you have a passport from outside the EU, it is wise to check the rules with your country´s representatives in the Netherlands or ask the DutchCulture Mobility Info Point.
Find out exactly what the rules are that a gallery, stage or theatre upholds, before engaging in cooperation. If you find obstacles on your way, you will have enough time to apply for permits or find other solutions.
Disclaimer: The information given above is mainly provided by the Chinese authorities. In case of any doubt or further questions, please contact the Chinese Embassy in The Hague.- 5. Are there specific things to keep in mind when it comes to safety in China?
China is a vast country with social transformation. Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, typhoons or flooding and general social unrest occur unexpectedly at times. Be sure to stay up to date with the most recent travel advice issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, see here. This website also informs you on security risks, traffic safety, recommended travel vaccinations, etcetera. You can also download the Travel app of the Ministry to stay up to date and inform them of your travel plans.
Your local partner in the cultural field in China may prove to be a valid, on-the-ground advisor when it comes to the current situation in the area that you are visiting.- 6. How can I promote my work in China?
It is a good idea to engage local professionals and publicists that have an understanding of your art discipline, audience and region. There are many Dutch cultural professionals and organizations that are active in China or may have relevant experiences that can be useful for your own project. Using existing networks may also help you in promoting your work.
Make sure to contact the diplomatic network of the Netherlands across China to inform them about your projects, and do not forget to let DutchCulture know! This way you will be included in our Database and become part of our network.- 7. How can I find a residency, venue at which to perform, exhibition space?
Browse through the DutchCulture Database and figure out which artists from the Netherlands have worked at which venues, and start your research this way. Go to the search icon on the upper-left corner of the website, and search by discipline, country and city.
For residencies, DutchCulture | TransArtists is a great research tool. In order to successfully build an international career, and in order to find sustainable partners in a country, it is always wise to spend more than a few days somewhere. Residencies, ranging from a couple of weeks until several months, can help you to achieve that.
