Amsterdam trade mission to Paris

The mission – taking place from 7 to 9 February – is an initiative of the Mairie de Paris and the City of Amsterdam, supported by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Paris and in cooperation with the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.

Why this mission?

The aim of the mission is to introduce Paris to the art and culture of Amsterdam and vice versa. It will also promote new partnerships between cultural organisations. The mission will focus on the unique and varied cultural partnership between Amsterdam and Paris in 2018 and 2019.

“To maintain this level, it is important to attract and retain talent and to be visible in other major cities around the world,” said Simone Kukenheim, a City of Amsterdam alderperson for arts and culture. “Cooperation between organisations in Amsterdam and Paris has a direct effect on what there is to see and do in the two cities. Art and culture also contribute to the urban challenges the two cities face. Important topics on the programme include cultural diversity, participation, the artistic climate and the distribution of cultural attractions and productions. Amsterdam and Paris can learn from each other in these areas.”

Programme

The Amsterdam delegation’s itinerary includes visits to the Philharmonie de Paris, the national venue for classical and modern music on the outskirts of the city; cultural centre Le 104, an important new venue for the performing arts and cultural participation; and Paris' national immigration museum. The delegation will also consider the cultural partnerships between Amsterdam and Paris over the next two years, including the Van Gogh Museum’s exhibition ‘The Dutch in Paris, 1789-1914’ at the Petit Palais; performances at the Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord during the Brandhaarden 2018 festival at the Stadsschouwburg theatre in Amsterdam; and the annual concerts of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra at the Philharmonie de Paris (this season in February and May 2018).

Amsterdam delegation

Organisations represented in the delegation include the Concertgebouw, Rijksmuseum, Tolhuistuin cultural centre, EYE Filmmuseum, Amsterdam Public Library (OBA), Foam, Veem House for Performance, Urban Myth, Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam, Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten (national academy of fine arts), Van Gogh Museum, theatre company Toneelgroep Amsterdam, Amerpodia, Paradiso, Holland Festival, Cinekid and ICKamsterdam.

Find out more about Amsterdam's cultural agenda. 

International cultural cooperation

The Arts Plan 2017-2020 sets out the Amsterdam City Council’s commitment to promoting the internationalisation of the Amsterdam art and culture sector by stimulating international productions and partnerships; ensuring the city’s international agenda is geared to a broader mix from the art and culture sector. It will also strengthen relationships at local government level with various global cities in the field of art and culture.