Veelgestelde vragen Stimuleringsregeling Eigentijdse Dans (SED)

The Dutch nationality is not required. However, your residence permit must be valid for the period for which you are applying for the scheme.

Proof of a residential address in Amsterdam can include, for example, a bank statement, rental contract, or an energy or water bill showing a recent transaction or statement. It is important that the document includes your name, address, and a recent date, so that we can confirm that you actually live in Amsterdam. It is not necessary to provide an extract from the Municipal Personal Records Database (BRP).

No, if you are already receiving a contribution from the AFK for these activities, you cannot apply for the SED contribution.

No, you cannot submit an application from a dance company. Only freelance dancers and/or choreographers can apply for the incentive scheme.

When you share a space with other freelance dance professionals, each collaborator with a positive professional competence assessment can submit an application for the Incentive Scheme for Contemporary Dance. The collaborators can be reimbursed for rental costs up to a maximum of €3,000 in total. Be sure to clearly specify in the applications what agreements you have made regarding the sharing of rental costs. If the rental costs are already part of an approved project application with the AFK, you cannot apply for them again through the SED. This also applies to a residency project.

You need a professional practice as a freelance dancer or choreographer to be eligible for the SED. This is determined through a professional competence assessment, which has been issued by the AFK since 2021. When applying for the SED, you will be asked to upload confirmation of a valid professional competence assessment. This must still be valid on the date of the application. If you do not have a (valid) professional competence assessment, you can take the assessment simultaneously with your SED application. For this, you will need to answer a number of additional questions in the application form.

This is established with a professional competence assessment. The professional competence assessment is carried out by the AFK and is valid for four years after it is issued. You fill in the questions for the professional competence assessment together with your application.

If you do not have a (valid) professional competence assessment, you can do a one at the same time as you apply for the SED. To do so, answer a number of additional questions in the application form (see ‘What questions should I answer for the professional competence assessment in the application form?’) If you already have a valid professional competence assessment from a previous application, you can add the reference number of this application for the SED. This test must still be valid on the date of application (a professional validity test is valid for four years).

It is not required to have an art diploma. However, we would like to determine whether you have a professional practice. This is done through a professional competence assessment, see the previous question.

No, this is optional. In addition to the mandatory CV for the professional competence assessment (see above), you can optionally upload documents that prove you have a freelance professional practice. This could be, for example, a Chamber of Commerce registration, but also a copy of the VAR-WUO or proof of the artist regulation/fee statement.

If granted, you will receive the full amount in your account within a few weeks.

Go to mijn.afk.nl, click on 'account aanmaken' and fill out the form. 

• A fully completed application form, including the required attachments.
• A (draft) rental agreement or rental arrangement for the location(s) the application pertains to.
• If you have one: a positively assessed professional competence assessment (not older than four years).

The documents you need to submit an application are:

• A KvK number or proof of registration in the municipality of Amsterdam.
• Proof of a valid professional competence assessment.
• A CV if you do not yet have a valid professional competence assessment.
• Uploads of the written user agreements with the landlord/owner.

Yes, you can. You can submit your application in Dutch or in English.

Yes. If you already have an account with the AFK, but for example, for a company/organization, you cannot use it to apply for the SED. To submit an application, you must create an account for yourself or for your sole proprietorship. Note: everyone must create a new account for the SED in 2025, as we are using a new platform. See also 'How do I create an account?'

After logging in, you open the SED application form. If you indicate that you also need a professional competence assessment (which is required for the application), those questions will automatically appear in the form. You have until Wednesday, February 4, 3:00 PM to complete the questions (including the professional competence assessment, if necessary), upload documentation, and submit your application. Once your application is successfully submitted, you will receive a confirmation email. If more applications are received than we can grant, we will determine the order in which applications are processed by drawing lots. This ensures everyone has the same chance of receiving a contribution, regardless of when the application is submitted.

The rental agreement must include the following information:

• Address of the space(s);
• Name of the landlord;
• Rental period(s) (which space, dates, and times of day);
• Price agreements.

The rental agreement can also be an arrangement via email. It is not possible to apply for the SED without a rental agreement.

Yes, it is possible to submit one application for different (studio and rehearsal) spaces. The scheme reimburses the rental costs for these spaces, with a maximum amount of €3,000.

The application year for the SED runs from March 1, 2025, to March 1, 2026. This means that you can only use the subsidy money for costs incurred during that period.

A total of €145,322 is available per subsidy year for this scheme. Once this amount has been allocated, no more applications can be granted. If more applications are received than we can approve, we will determine the order in which applications are processed through a lottery. This ensures everyone has the same chance of receiving a contribution, regardless of when the application is submitted.

Yes, that is possible. However, you cannot apply for the same dance activities to avoid double funding.

No, that is not possible.

You can expect the outcome of your application within four weeks of the close of the application period. The application period closes on Wednesday 4 February, at 3pm. You will receive the decision no later than 4 March 2026.

If you are liable for VAT, we expect that the contribution you request is exclusive of VAT.

Yes, that is possible. The option to appeal is mentioned in the decision letter, which will be sent to you by email.

You must be able to show, upon request from the AFK, that you have carried out the activities for which you received the subsidy. Please note: it is mandatory for everyone to immediately inform the AFK if there are any changed circumstances that may affect the amount of the subsidy you have received.

You must immediately inform the AFK if there are any changed circumstances that could affect the amount of the subsidy you have received. For example, this could include a change in location, execution period, or rental costs. You can do this by emailing the SED contact person, Saskia de Leeuw (sdleeuw@afk.nl).

If you are unable to spend the full subsidy amount due to unforeseen circumstances, contact the SED contact person, Saskia de Leeuw (sdleeuw@afk.nl). It may be possible to spend the unused portion in the following year.