ROTTERDAM, 1 September 2026 – Rotterdam makers, cultural organisations and project initiators can apply for a new Kunstgebouw subsidy voucher offering 10 or 20 hours of personal fundraising guidance. The South Holland scheme is designed to help applicants identify suitable funds, strengthen project plans and prepare realistic budgets before submitting their own funding applications.
Personal guidance with applications
Applying for cultural funding can involve several demanding steps, from identifying an appropriate fund to developing a convincing project plan and a balanced budget. Kunstgebouw’s new voucher scheme provides practical support during that process.
Successful applicants receive either 10 or 20 hours with an experienced fundraiser. The applicant remains responsible for writing and submitting the funding application, while the adviser reviews the plan and budget, provides feedback and identifies funds that could fit the project.
Participants can also use the process to build fundraising knowledge that may be useful when developing future cultural projects.
The number of guidance hours depends on the size and complexity of the project.
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Applications run until December
Anyone interested in the scheme can apply through the Kunstgebouw website. If a project appears eligible, Kunstgebouw first arranges an online meeting with the applicant. A decision follows within two weeks of that conversation, including whether the applicant receives a voucher and whether it covers 10 or 20 hours of guidance.
Applications remain open until 31 December 2026, although only a limited number of vouchers are available. Once the available vouchers have been allocated, Kunstgebouw will stop accepting new applications.
Support across South Holland
The scheme is open to makers, cultural organisations and project initiators based in South Holland, which makes it relevant to Rotterdam’s cultural sector as well as creative projects elsewhere in the province.
The focus is on strengthening the funding application process itself. Kunstgebouw does not write the application on behalf of the participant, but provides professional feedback and advice while the applicant develops the proposal.
The voucher scheme is supported through the Fund in the Region programme (Fonds in de Regio) of the Cultural Participation Fund (Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie).
More information about that programme is available at:
https://www.cultuurparticipatie.nl/beleid/fonds-in-de-regio/
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How to apply
Applications can be submitted directly through Kunstgebouw:
https://www.kunstgebouw.nl/voucher-begeleiding-bij-jouw-subsidieaanvraag/
Because the number of vouchers is limited, Rotterdam makers and cultural organisations considering an application may want to submit their proposal before the end-of-year deadline rather than waiting until December.
The scheme offers access to fundraising expertise without transferring responsibility for the application itself. Applicants therefore remain closely involved in developing the project plan, budget and funding strategy.
For Rotterdam’s cultural sector, that can provide an extra layer of practical support when preparing projects that depend on grants or other cultural funding.
