Dutch arts, culture and shared cultural heritage are represented in the U.S. through the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Washington, DC, and the Consulates General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, New York, and San Francisco. Headquarters for cultural services is the Press and Cultural Affairs Department of the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in New York. Monique Ruhe, Cultural Attaché for the Netherlands to the U.S., heads this department, which further consists of Robert Kloos, Deputy Head and responsible for Visual Arts, Architecture and Design; Noah Waxman, Senior Policy Officer and responsible for performing arts, film, literature; and Shomara Roosblad, Senior Cultural Officer and responsible for shared cultural heritage and old masters.
The Consulate General in New York carries out the International Cultural Policy of the Netherlands, under the joint direction of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Netherlands Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. To implement this policy strategically and effectively in the U.S., the Consulate General adheres to a 2021-2024 multiyear strategic plan. For the coming years, the goals are to strengthen the position of the Dutch cultural sector in the U.S. through visibility, exchange and sustainable cooperation, and to support the bilateral relationship between the Netherlands and the U.S. through Dutch cultural activities in the U.S.
The Consulate General works in all arts disciplines, but differentiates between proactive and reactive disciplines. Priority is given to the following disciplines in which the Consulate works proactively: design (including jewelry and fashion design), film, literature, performing arts (theater, live music and content for young audiences), photography, shared cultural heritage, and visual arts. Lesser priority is given to the following disciplines in which the Consulate works re actively: architecture, dance, digital culture / gaming, electronic dance music, old masters, and tangible heritage.
Traditionally, many Dutch cultural projects in the U.S. take place in the New York City metropolitan area, followed by larger cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and Miami. The Consulate focuses on these cities, but also strives for a national approach, and gives special attention to secondary and upcoming cities in the U.S. with growing art centers and important venues. This includes–but is not limited to–cities such as Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Nashville, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. The shared cultural heritage work focuses mostly on New York State and the Midwest.
The Consulate General serves as an intermediary between the Dutch and American art worlds, by promoting Dutch arts, culture and shared cultural heritage in the U.S., and by encouraging and facilitating cultural cooperation and exchange. More specifically, the Consulate General:
The Consulate General of the Netherlands in New York manages various online pages under the name DutchCultureUSA, including this website, a Facebook page, a Twitter page, and an Instagram page. If you have a Dutch project in the U.S. that you would like us to feature, please send materials (text and copyright free hi-res images with proper acknowledgement and credit info) to nyc-pcz@minbuza.nl.
Dutchcultureusa.com is provided by the Consulate General of the Netherlands in New York.
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