Caring for Heritage
The Cultural Heritage Agency connects
policy, knowledge and practice.
The Cultural
Heritage Agency
of the Netherlands
What is the Cultural
Heritage Agency?
What are the values
of heritage?
The Cultural Heritage Agency is the Netherlands’ centre
of expertise for heritage.
Heritage is a collection of traces of the past, both visible
and invisible.
Heritage care is a public interest, for which government also takes responsibility.
The Cultural Heritage Agency is an executive body of the Ministry for Education,
Culture and Science. Its tasks go beyond merely preserving and protecting buildings,
sites and works of art. Today, society devotes increasing attention to how cultural
historical values can be given a place within spatial development plans and projects.
Doing so ensures that we can give the future a – recognisable – past.
Some of our heritage is tangible such as artworks in museums, archaeological
finds, archives, listed buildings or historic landscapes. But there are also intangible
reminders of the past such as customs, folklore and stories. They too are part of our
identity. Our heritage informs the very way in which we think and act.
This is what makes it so valuable.
The Agency has a staff of over three hundred, including specialists in restoration,
historical research, chemistry, law, art history, archaeology, urban planning, archiving...
the list goes on. They are based at one of four locations. At the Agency’s head office in
Amersfoort you will find advisors, researchers, and policy staff, as well as communications and information experts. There is also a large library which is open to the public.
The extensive State Art Collection is managed from Rijswijk. In Amsterdam, our
scientists work alongside their counterparts at the University of Amsterdam and the
world famous Rijksmuseum, undertaking research to ensure that objects of art and
design, books, archival documents and other objects of historical value can be
preserved for posterity. Lelystad is home to the National Maritime Collection.
The Cultural Heritage Agency in figures
Heritage has many values. First, there is the aesthetic value of a painting, a building
or a finely crafted piece of jewellery. Then there is the historic value: archaeological
finds offer a wealth of knowledge about how our forefathers lived. Another value of
heritage, and one which is now more widely acknowledged, is its social relevance.
Heritage defines the identity of a community, helping to establish common bonds.
Last but not least, heritage has an economic value. It drives tourism and enhances
the attractiveness of a city or region as a place to live and work.
Heritage in figures
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•
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•
63,000 listed buildings and sites
420 protected town and village views
10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
140,000 objects in the State Art Collection under the Agency’s management
• Locations: 4 (Amersfoort, Rijswijk, Amsterdam and Lelystad)
• Yearly budget: over 35 million euros for the organisation and 80 million euros for subsidies
• Staff: approx. 315 employees, plus over 100 internships each year
4 The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands
The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands
5
What does the Cultural
Heritage Agency do?
How does the
Agency work?
The varied work of the Agency includes generating and disseminating
knowledge, implementing policy and legislation, administering
guarantees and subsidies, and providing practical advice.
The Agency’s mission is to improve the performance of heritage
care in the Netherlands.
Our strength lies in connecting three key elements: practical expertise, scientific
knowledge and government policy. These elements are mutually reinforcing,
whereby we can base our practical advice on scientific knowledge, on our extensive
experience and on the objectives of government policy. Conversely, our practical
expertise and knowledge make a significant contribution to the development
of policy.
Caring for our heritage is a question of teamwork. It involves owners, research
and knowledge institutes, specialist contractors, government authorities and, of
course, the Agency itself. Within this partnership, we bring together political and
administrative elements, knowledge and practical expertise, and the various
‘domains’ of heritage: historic buildings, museums, archaeology and the landscape.
Wherever possible, we adopt an integrated perspective which transcends the
dividing lines between these various domains.
Activities in figures (yearly)
•over 500 advisory reports to support authorities in the assessment of permit applications for
major alterations to listed buildings, together with some 1,500 informal advisory reports
• 50 permits for interventions affecting protected archaeological sites
• 80 million euros in subsidies for the conservation of monuments
• 300,000 visitors to our website
• 13,000 e-mail enquiries handled by the InfoDesk
• 250 publications (books and journal articles)
• 500 lectures
• 50 symposia, workshops and meetings
• 500 object loans to exhibitions, government departments and diplomatic missions
6 The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands
We not only wish to preserve the Netherlands’ heritage but to promote its
sustainable development and make it accessible to the general public. We do
so by being an authority with a clear, business-like yet flexible approach, with
a passion for heritage that characterises all our staff.
The Agency’s main activities are organised in a portfolio of programmes and projects.
Some are practical in nature, while others are more concerned with knowledge
development. For example the ‘Vision on Heritage and Spatial Planning’ programme
gives cultural history a firm place in major spatial development projects.
‘Improvement Actions in Archaeology’, has been prompted by an evaluation of the
Archaeology Act. The portfolio also includes various activities that relate to the policy
document ‘Working Together, Stronger Together’ by the Minister of Education,
Culture and Science, which is concerned with cooperation between museums, as well
as activities within the ‘Safe Heritage’ programme.
Programmes and projects
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Vision on Heritage and Spatial Planning
Improvement Actions in Archaeology
Maritime Heritage
Heritage Monitor
Quality of Conservation
New Use for Historic Buildings
Shared Cultural Heritage
Heritage Digital Infrastructure
Safe Heritage
Sustainable Heritage
Guideline on Heritage and Spatial Planning
National Collections Centre
Religious Heritage
Various projects related to policy document on museums
European Union Joint Programming Initiative (JPI)
The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands
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‘Working abroad
is inspiring and
mutually beneficial’
Cees van ‘t Veen
General Director of the Cultural Heritage Agency, on the
importance and the various forms of international
cooperation:
‘Cultural heritage is not confined to borders. It
underlines both national and universal values and
therefore caring for heritage is also a cross-border
activity. Those involved in the care of cultural heritage
deal with the same issues such as sustainability in the
face of climate change, maintenance and tourism.
To facilitate the care of Dutch cultural heritage in a
European and global context, the Cultural Heritage
Agency invests and participates in a variety of networks.
As part of the European Heritage Heads Forum, for
example, we cooperate with colleagues from other
governments on policy issues. Through a network
organisation of heritage councils and research institutes
we promote collaborative research through the
European Commission’s Joint Programming Initiative
on Cultural Heritage. International collaboration
is based on developing and sharing knowledge
to safeguard specific types of heritage such as
underwater cultural heritage or contemporary art.’
8 The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands
At a global level
The Cultural Heritage Agency
1reports to UNESCO on the state of World Heritage
sites in the Netherlands and submits nominations
for new sites
2is a member of ICOMOS, International Council
on Monuments and Sites, ICOMOS is a nongovernmental organisation dedicated to the
conservation of the world’s monuments and sites
3is a member of ICCROM, International Centre for
the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of
Cultural Property, ICCROM is an intergovernmental
organization dedicated to the conservation of
cultural heritage
4is a member of ICOM, International Council of
Museums, an organisation representing museums
and museum professionals that assists the
museum community in their mission to preserve,
conserve and share cultural heritage
5participates in the organisation of ICOM-CC,
International Council of Museums Committee for
Conservation, the largest of the International
Committees of ICOM and aims to promote the
conservation of culturally and historically
significant works
6coordinates INCCA, International Network for
the Conservation of Contemporary Art, a
network of museum professionals connected
to the conservation of contemporary art
The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands
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On a European level
The Cultural Heritage Agency
7participates in The European Heritage Heads
Forum, an informal network that brings together
the heads of the European state heritage
authorities to share ideas about the management
of the historic environment in the 21st century
8submits site nominations to the European
Heritage Label, an initiative to promote sites
that have played a significant role in the history
and culture of Europe
9participates in EAC, Europae Archaeologiae
Consilium, a forum for national archaeological
heritage management agencies to establish closer
and more structured cooperation and exchange
of information
10shares information through HEREIN, European
Heritage Network, a permanent information
system hosted by the Council of Europe where
government departments responsible for cultural
heritage can share their policies
11participates in JPI-CH, Joint Programming
Initiative on Cultural Heritage, a network
organisation made possible by the European
Commission through which EU member states
can coordinate and maximise impact of their
research efforts
12 The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands
‘We were able to
build seamlessly
on the past’
Frits van Dongen
Architect and urban planner, on the transformation of the
former navy dockyards in Den Helder into a modern
theatre complex:
‘Fantastic! I was taken aback by the spatial quality of the
location. The Cultural Heritage Agency had overseen the
conservation of the dockyards in such a way that the
original structure had been preserved yet the entire space
could be used for its new purpose almost immediately.
Everything was already in place: open performance
areas, steel support structures, gantries for lighting and
scenery, and so forth. We were able to build seamlessly
on the past.
We added nothing more than a few elements such as
the backstage fly tower. We did everything in close
consultation with the Agency. Communication was
straightforward and pleasant. Of course, this demands
some effort on both sides. The architect must present
his ideas as simply and clearly as possible, while the
Agency must understand why minor alterations are
necessary in the interests of functionality. I think the
Agency appreciated the subtle way in which I was able
to achieve that functionality.’
14 The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands
The Agency in practice
Historic buildings
The Agency
1designates buildings as ‘national monuments’
and administers the register
2advises local authorities with regard to major
alterations to listed buildings
3administers subsidies for the conservation of
national monuments
4administers subsidies to promote new use of
historic buildings
5develops new knowledge about the conservation
of built heritage and ways in which historic
buildings can be given a new function
6provides expertise and advice on the routine
maintenance of significant interiors (preventive
conservation)
7registers incidents (such as fire or flooding)
involving a national monument
8promotes the quality of care for built heritage
9conducts research into energy-efficient forms of
conservation practice
10monitors the condition of built heritage, as well
as developments in conservation practice
The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands
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‘Exceptional works
that we could
never have
acquired ourselves’
Peter Schoon
Director of the Dordrecht Museum, on the loan of works in
the national art collection:
‘The Dordrecht Museum has for many years made
grateful use of loans from the State Art Collection. Doing
so enables us to produce larger, more important and
more relevant exhibitions which help us to tell the story
of our city. In many cases, the items concerned are of
exceptional quality and extremely valuable. They would
be far beyond our regular acquisitions budget.
Our collaboration with The Cultural Heritage Agency
has become even closer over time. We now enjoy the
Agency’s full trust and confidence, even in areas such as
restoration. It is a mutually beneficial arrangement; by
exhibiting works from the State Collection, we are also
providing a public platform for the Agency itself. The
staff in Rijswijk fully understands our position and our
wishes. If they think a work that has just been returned
to the depot in Rijswijk would be of interest, someone
will be on the phone almost immediately.’
18 The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands
The Agency in practice
Moveable heritage
The Agency
1manages those works in the State Art Collection
which have not been given a place in a national
museum
2restores objects in the collection
3loans objects from the collection to museums
and government institutions
4grants indemnity to museums for international loans
5coordinates the Netherlands’ contribution to the
Europeana project
6develops knowledge and expertise in the areas of
the valuation, risk management, conservation and
restoration of artworks, and of arts and crafts
7is currently developing a National Collections Centre
in association with the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
and the National Open Air Museum, Arnhem.
8registers incidents involving objects and
collections held by museums
9oversees the return to rightful owners of looted
art, particularly that confiscated during the Nazi
occupation of the Netherlands
10monitors the condition of heritage in museums
The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands
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Giving the future
a past
‘It’s not what’s on paper
that counts but what
you see out the window’
Gerda Kroeze
Spatial Heritage Policy Advisor, City of Deventer,
on the role of heritage in area development:
‘Our relationship with the Cultural Heritage Agency has
changed. The Agency now has a different role, one which
meets a local requirement. It develops and collects
knowledge, which it then makes available in an accessible
form such as the Guideline on Heritage and Spatial
Planning. In this role, the Agency’s work goes beyond
protecting historic buildings. It has introduced a new
process in which values and interests are taken fully into
consideration, and in which the local authority and the
community itself are given greater direct responsibility.
A good example of this process at work is the new use of
Deventer’s Havenkwartier (Harbour District), which
includes a number of historic silos. Their cultural
historical value was described in detail, and that value
was then incorporated into the zoning plan and the
redevelopment of the area. We intend to apply the same
approach in other local projects, assisted by the ‘values
map’ and ‘structure vision’ currently in development.
This is a different way of working, a new track with
many uncertainties, yet one which preserves and
improves Deventer’s quality, one that uses heritage
as source of inspiration.’
24 The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands
The Agency in practice
Spatial planning
The Agency
1encourages the incorporation of cultural historical
values in major spatial development projects
2advises the government on large spatial and
infrastructural projects
3is a statutory advisory body for Environmental
Impact Reports (EIR)
4advises on the development of (future) world
heritage sites and (on request) on any major
alterations to urban and village conservation areas
5advises authorities on the preservation of cultural
historical values when major alterations to the
landscape are indicated
6advises landscape management agencies on
matters relating to cultural historical value
7develops methods and techniques for the study
of the historical landscape
8is developing a knowledge infrastructure for the
historical landscape
9monitors the condition of landscape heritage and
developments in its management and preservation
10monitors heritage values within spatial planning
The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands
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‘Fewer spades
in the ground’
Tonnie van de Rijdt-van de Ven
Chair of the Association of Volunteers in Archaeology (AWN),
on advocacy and education:
‘For many of our approximately two thousand members,
the practical side of archaeology is very important. They
enjoy the dig itself and they like to hold archaeological
finds in their hands. However, times are changing, for us as
well as for the Cultural Heritage Agency. We are now far less
likely to work ‘in the field’, although there are still some
volunteers who take part in digs organized by private
landowners.
As an association, our focus is shifting from spadework to
education and advocacy. We enjoy considerable support
from the Agency, particularly in matters relating to the law.
For example, in our dealings with a local authority that
initially wanted to conserve a Roman cemetery in situ, but
now wants to cover the entire site with concrete and bricks.
Is that allowed? Does this constitute ‘preservation’ as
defined by legislation?
We regularly try to make our voice heard at the local level.
Precisely how we can do so most effectively is a topic of
regular discussions with the Agency.’
28 The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands
The Agency in practice
Archaeology
The Agency
1designates protected archaeological sites
2advises the government and its partners on
matters relating to archaeological sites
3manages the State Maritime Archaeology
Collection in Lelystad
4issues permits for excavations
5administers subsidies for the conservation of
archaeological monuments
6administers the archaeological data management
system ARCHIS, and registers notifications and
reports from the field
7undertakes improvement actions related to the
Treaty of Malta.
8promotes the conservation of maritime heritage.
9monitors the status and condition of
archaeological heritage, as well as developments
within the discipline of archaeology
The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands
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Heritage Digital
Infrastructure
General
information
The Agency
Libraries
1works alongside various partners to develop an
information infrastructure which offers ready
access to information about cultural heritage
2provides access to information from the relevant
knowledge domains to owners, heritage
organisations, the creative industry, local
authorities, etc.
3monitors the status of cultural heritage to support
policy development
4is currently working alongside various partners to
develop a hierarchical glossary of terms relating to
heritage, policy and research, which will also
enable existing data to be used in new contexts
(Linked Open Data)
5ensures that all interaction with the Agency can
be conducted online
6participates in various international projects
Amersfoort
Open Mon-Fri, 09:00-17:00
Smallepad 5 | 3811 MG Amersfoort
T +31 (0)33 421 7444
bibliotheek@cultureelerfgoed.nl
Rijswijk
Visitors by appointment only
Visseringlaan 3 | 2288 ER Rijswijk
T +31 (0)33 - 421 7144
bibliotheek-rijswijk@cultureelerfgoed.nl
Amsterdam
Open Mon-Fri, 09:00-17:00
Locatie Ateliergebouw Amsterdam
Hobbemastraat 22 | 1071 ZC Amsterdam
T +31 (0)33 - 421 7144
bibliotheek-amsterdam@cultureelerfgoed.nl
Visitors
Smallepad 5
3811 MG Amersfoort
T +31 (0)33 421 7421
Correspondence
P.O. Box 1600
3800 BP Amersfoort
F +31 (0)33 421 7799
info@cultureelerfgoed.nl
InfoDesk
All enquiries
T +31 (0)33 421 7456
info@cultureelerfgoed.nl
Website
www.cultureelerfgoed.nl
Lelystad
Open Mon-Fri, 09:00-17:00 and by appointment
Oostvaardersdijk 01-04 | 8244 PA Lelystad
T +31 (0)33 421 7444
bibliotheek-lelystad@cultureelerfgoed.nl
Colophon
Design | SchaapOntwerpers
Text | Annette Lubbers
Photos | Marie Cecile Thijs
Printed by | Xerox/OBT, The Hague
32 The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands
The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands
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We bring
together and
share knowledge
about cultural
heritage
The Cultural Heritage Agency advises and inspires in all matters
relating to the preservation, sustainable development and
accessibility of the Netherlands’ most valuable cultural heritage.
The Agency is also responsible for overseeing compliance with
legislation governing the conservation of monuments,
archaeology, historical landscapes and museum collections.