Strengthen your financial foundation as a cultural entrepreneur with these programs
Are you familiar with these programs for self-employed individuals? Take advantage of grants for services such as (career) counseling or a subsidy toward your insurance!
As a self-employed professional in the cultural sector, you have a lot to manage: insurance, retirement planning, financial administration, and more. Fortunately, there are various programs specifically designed to help you with these tasks. These include financial assistance for insurance, consultations with experts, and programs that help you make your business future-proof. Read below to learn about your options and find out what’s right for you.
The Startup Accelerator
Are you a new entrepreneur looking to grow your business successfully or make your company future-proof and sustainable? The Province of Gelderland’s Startversneller program supports entrepreneurs in Gelderland through personalized coaching and specialized advisory services. The program is specifically designed for self-employed individuals and entrepreneurs who have been registered with the Chamber of Commerce (KvK) for no more than ten years. Within the Startversneller program, you can choose from two tracks:
- Coaching program for entrepreneurs who have been registered with the Chamber of Commerce for less than five years. Through a voucher, you’ll receive reimbursement for 80% of the costs (up to €1,000) for coaching from an experienced coach.
- Expert program for entrepreneurs who have been registered for less than ten years. Specialists will help you with issues related to digitization, circularity, or energy. Here, too, 80% of the costs are reimbursed (up to €1,000).
If you meet the requirements, you can even participate in both programs! You can choose one of the suggested coaches or suggest a coach yourself.
Self-Employed Advisory Check
There’s a lot involved in setting up a sustainable practice as a self-employed professional in the cultural and creative sector: from finances and rates to retirement and disability insurance. But it also involves attracting clients and positioning yourself in the market. With Platform ACCT’s Self-Employed Advisory Check, you can discuss these topics with an expert. Perhaps you want to know how to avoid bogus self-employment, which financing options suit you best, or how to use your unique story to find the right clients. Through Oog voor Impuls, you can easily request a voucher that covers 75% of the consulting fees. You’ll be assigned an advisor based on the topic you choose, but you’re also welcome to suggest an advisor yourself.
Consultants and coaches
For both the ZZP Adviescheck and De Startversneller, you may nominate your own coach or advisor. If you don’t have a coach in mind yet but would like someone from the region or an advisor with extensive experience working with cultural entrepreneurs, we’ve compiled a list of excellent coaches who are very familiar with the day-to-day realities of artists and creatives. Take a look at the list below and find out who’s the right fit for you:
- Daphne van Koeveringe - Arnhem and surrounding areas
In de Maak Coaching | daphne@indemaakcoaching.nl | 06 5097 9442 - Dennis Molendijk – Amsterdam / works anywhere
CEO-online | dennis@ceo-online.nl | 06 24 99 32 13 - Dione van der Heiden – Nijmegen
Outonoom | dione@outonoom.nl | 06 4101 84 94 - Grietje Ploegmakers – Nijmegen
Continuum Coaching | info@continuumcoaching.nl | 06 29 42 81 54 - Ilva van Elk – Nijmegen
De Ontwikkelpraktijk | ilva@deontwikkelpraktijk.nl | 06 31 04 87 01 - Melle Mijnhardt – Zwolle / works anywhere
Melle Mijnhardt | info@mellemijnhardt.nl | 06 12 45 93 92 - Nieuwe Kaders – Arnhem
Nieuwe Kaders
Marcel de Groen | marcel@nieuwekaders.com | 06 25 20 52 92
Hilde van Poeijer | hilde@nieuwekaders.com | 06 44 50 31 52 - Peter van Biemen – Amsterdam / works anywhere
Peter van Biemen | peter.van.biemen@bmc.nl | 06 10 77 43 67
More programs and pathways
Cultuur Academy Mentorship Program
A new edition of the Cultuur Academy Mentorship Program will begin in January 2026. This is a unique opportunity for you, as a creator (musician, actor, visual artist, dancer, designer, filmmaker, or interdisciplinary artist), to further develop your skills. Under the guidance of a mentor, you’ll work together with other creators to shape your professional future.
Oog voor Impuls Zelfverzekerd
Are you adequately insured against illness and disability? As a self-employed person in the cultural sector, you can receive a temporary financial contribution toward your disability coverage through the “Zelfverzekerd” program.
Now for Later
Saving for retirement is essential, especially if you’re self-employed. The“Now for Later”program helps you do this by providing a temporary contribution toward the costs of your retirement plan.
The Vitality Check
The Vitality Check was developed specifically for self-employed professionals, freelancers, and temporary workers in the cultural sector. For just €29, you’ll receive a comprehensive assessment of your physical and mental health—including measurements and questionnaires—conducted by medical professionals. You’ll also receive a personalized Consultation practical tips to help you stay healthy and productive. You can sign up and find locations through The Vital Company.
💡 Tip: For even more programs, check out the Platform ACCT website.