Exchanges

The Fund's homebase—Amsterdam—is a buzzing hive for both globally renowned cultural institutions and thriving independent creative communities. Simultaneously, our global network of changemakers is ever-expanding and a source of inspiration to continue our mission of supporting culture under pressure.

Cover image courtesy of 2025 Seed Awardee David Caicedo.

Exchanges is a programme built to bridge these worlds: strengthening connections between Prince Claus Awardees and the vibrant cultural landscape of Amsterdam, while cultivating meaningful, lasting relationships across the city’s diverse creative scenes.

In doing so, Exchanges contributes to the decentralisation of Amsterdam’s cultural infrastructure, establishing a concrete presence across multiple city districts. Through Exchanges, we connect cultural practitioners, organisations, and peers who share values and goals. International collaboration is not treated as an end in itself, but as a means to facilitate sharp, necessary conversations about society, identity, and the future. The programme creates space to exchange ideas and knowledge, share strategies in challenging times, and jointly create and grow—fostering a strong sense of belonging and reciprocity.

We work beyond the institutional circuit, structurally embedding new audiences, diaspora communities, and young people within the programme. Collaborations are content-driven and context-specific, rather than format-driven, ensuring that each exchange responds meaningfully to its environment. In this way, Exchanges strengthens Amsterdam as a place where international perspectives land locally—and where exchange is truly reciprocal.

Exchanges introduces a two-tiered partner model. Core partner institutions provide platforms for Prince Claus Awardees to present, perform, and exhibit their work, offering visibility and access to established cultural audiences while creating opportunities for engagement with Amsterdam’s major cultural stages. Alongside these, smaller-scale partners focus on peer-to-peer connections and collaborative practices, creating space for experimentation within alternative and less institutional creative scenes.

Exchanges is made possible through the generous support from the City of Amsterdam.