Internship Mediation for a Diverse and Inclusive Cultural Sector
The primary objective of our internship mediation program is to place the right candidates in the right positions, with a focus on increasing diversity within the cultural sector. This initiative targets the recruitment of young people from underrepresented groups for internships in both subsidized and non-subsidized cultural organizations.
Objective
The program aims to expand internship opportunities across the cultural sector, emphasizing diversity and inclusion. Our goal is to facilitate and to contribute financially to approximately 140 internships within various cultural domains, including museums, theatres, festivals, performing arts venues, and cultural education organizations.
The Dutch public cultural funds have identified key challenges
Stage Cultuur Inclusief is a platform particularly for cultural institutions located outside major cultural hubs and student cities, where it is often difficult to fill internship positions, especially with a focus on diversity.
Both subsidized and non-subsidized cultural institutions, including commercial entities and independent producers, are eligible to apply for this program.
The platform SCI offers assistance in recruiting interns and provides a financial contribution towards internship or travel expenses, up to a maximum of €1,000 per internship. The average internship duration is four months within the Netherlands or the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.
Additionally, cultural institutions in the Netherlands that host students or recent graduates from the Caribbean part of the Kingdom can apply for a subsidy of €1,500 to contribute to internship allowances and travel costs.
Target Group
This program is aimed at young individuals from secondary vocational education (mbo), education for applied sciences (hbo), and university education (wo) who are seeking a career-oriented, preparatory, or research internship of approximately 20 weeks within the cultural and creative sectors.
The six public cultural funds of the Netherlands, with additional support from the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science, are committed to enhancing the influx of diverse talent through the SCI platform. Cultural organizations can apply for funding until November 15, 2024. The program is also available to cultural institutions in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.
The overarching aim of this initiative is to promote diversity and inclusivity in internship and work experience opportunities within the cultural sector. This aligns with the fund’s broader policy to foster an inclusive cultural sector where equal opportunities are available to all.
Our understanding of diversity is consistent with the Diversity & Inclusion Code, encompassing cultural diversity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, socio-economic status, and educational background.