DutchDFA looks set to continue its activities

Dutch Design Fashion Architecture (DutchDFA) will continue its promotion of the Dutch creative industry as the economic results have been impressive enough to convince policy makers of its value.

By Editor Design.nl / 12-04-2012

The creative industry is one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the Netherlands. “DutchDFA’s method to first invest in branding Dutch Design, then build a network, and use this for matchmaking to create business opportunities based on local demand, is an example to achieve a strong international position,” said Marjan Hammersma, director-general for Culture and Media of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. Therefor the government “would like to contribute to continuing working through these methods in the future.”

Praise was also given by Victor van der Chijs, chairman of the so-called Topteam Creative Industry (a body for co-operation between government, science and industry): “DutchDFA successfully bridges the gap for small creative entrepreneurs to reach new large markets. These public private partnerships between the Dutch government and creative entrepreneurs should be maintained after the programme ends in 2012. DutchDFA’s successor should broaden its scope and service to all disciplines of the creative industries.”

An example of the method of DutchDFA is Connecting Concepts, an exhibition traveling the world which combines top Dutch design with local examples connecting designers and industry across borders.

The NAi (Netherlands Architecture Institute) brings together Dutch and Chinese or Indian designers on pressing local design issues and has resulted in assignments by Chinese developer Vanke.

DutchDFA on Thursday presented the results of the first three years of its existence. “After three years DutchDFA has delivered visible and concrete results, giving a lasting contribution to a stronger international position of Dutch design,” said DutchDFA programme director Christine de Baan. The organisation is now in its fourth and, as originally planned, last year. But it looks set to continue its activities.