After an eventful season, with eight meetings of "The Agenda" (Original in Dutch: De Agenda) in 2015 and around 400 individual participants all over the Netherlands (from Rotterdam to Arnhem), we wanted to conclude where we started: in Amsterdam. In an extra long session we reflected and looked forward.

We pondered on many questions: What happened in the past year? What changes have taken place? How do we experience the role and value of art in society? We also discussed a theme that has recently become increasingly explicit, the so-called "hollowing of the sector". With pride and enthusiasm, we notice that "The Agenda" has grown into an informal structure of people, ideas and possibilities.

"The Agenda" is not dependent on the initiators, but on everyone who longs for shared exchange - across generations and disciplines. During "Agenda XL", a number of participants, who organized a local version of "The Agenda" in Arnhem, committed themselves to the initiative. Another group is currently discussing further continuation at a broader level. After the fragmentation caused by the cutbacks, we suddenly have an instrument to exchange from different positions and to come up with alternative ideas. In case of a future emergency, "The Agenda" has the ability to organise fast, provide open communication and a direct influence on the field, advisory bodies and politics.


"The Agenda" is a series of meetings initiated by the sector itself that should lead to a different conversation about the future of the performing arts in the Netherlands. It is held by all generations and disciplines. "The Agenda" is a place of committed 'self-reflection', where people can continuously shape and 'sharpen' their own ideas in conversation with other disciplines and generations. "The Agenda" organically creates smaller alliances that provide the field, various advisory councils, committees and sector organizations with solicited and unsolicited advice.