The Arts Decree for dummies

The Arts Decree and its implementing decisions form the main policy framework for the professional arts in the Flemish Community of the Department of Culture, Youth and Media.

The Arts Decree sets out the procedures for the submission, assessment, award and monitoring of various grants for the following disciplines:

• Performing arts
• Music
• (Audio)visual arts
• Architecture
• Design
• And any hybrid or cross-sectoral interpretations.

Cross-sectoral arts involve intensive collaboration between a specific arts discipline and partner(s) operating outside the arts sector such as healthcare, education or science.

The disciplines of literature and audiovisual arts (film, single screen audiovisual arts, series, podcast and games) have their own funds and matching grants at Literatuur Vlaanderen and Vlaams Audiovisueel Fonds (VAF). 

> Find subsidies for artists here here. 

> Find subsidies for arts organisations here. 

In short, the Arts Decree is a collection of subsidies from the Flemish government for the professional arts sector. The Arts Decree does not provide recognition or give a value judgment to artists or arts organisations. Whether or not being awarded grants within the Arts Decree does not make an artist or arts organisation more or less professional.

How does Flanders Arts Institute relate to the Arts Decree?

Flanders Arts Institute is one of the ‘actors’ of the Arts Decree who act as a point of contact and support for the professional arts field. Therefore, the missions for Flanders Arts Institute are defined within the Arts Decree, we do not have a fund with our own subsidy lines.

The others actors of the Arts Decree are VI.BE, VAi and Kunst In Huis. 

Find out more about what Flanders Arts Institute does via this link.

You can find an overview of all support organisations within the arts field via this guide!