Vision
Platform BK envisions a future where the visual arts are essential to Dutch society, celebrated for fostering solidarity, equality, plurality, experimentation, and imagination. Art workers—artists, curators, designers, critics, educators, and museum workers, whether self-taught or institutionally trained—are invaluable in shaping Dutch culture and community life. 

Platform BK advocates for fair compensation and sustainable working conditions to help art workers thrive. By fostering solidarity across fields, it promotes mutual respect and shared progress, ensuring the arts uplift everyone involved and contribute meaningfully to society.

Mission

Platform BK represents, amplifies, and mobilizes self-employed workers in the visual arts field in the Netherlands, striving for greater appreciation of the arts and stronger support for all art professionals. From the perspective of art workers within cultural ecosystems, we contribute to public debates and societal developments.

Platform BK opposes the precarization of workers, erosion of public arts funding, dismantling of democracy, and marginalization within cultural ecosystems. We believe self-organization and solidarity are vital tools for fostering a healthier art climate and strengthening everyone in the arts.

As an association for art workers, Platform BK explores art’s societal role and advocates for better working conditions. Through organizing, discussions, and knowledge-sharing, we aim to build support for art’s role in Dutch life and its lasting societal contributions.

 

How do we get stuff done?

We operate as an active think-tank.

We engage and activate our members. 

We collaborate with unions and interest groups within the visual arts field.

We conduct research into government and municipal policy.

We set the agenda on urgent issues in the arts.

We lobby for the rights of art workers by engaging in dialogue with interest groups and politicians.

We publish critical essays on current affairs within the visual arts in print and online.

We use social media, newsletters, and our website for publishing purposes. 

We organize debates, symposiums, summer or autumn schools, workshops, or film evenings, always free of charge for our members. 

 

For whom?

We represent art workers – artists, curators, designers, critics, educators, art handlers, and museum workers, whether they be self-taught or institutionally educated.

The term “art worker” is used widely to acknowledge the growing precarity in the cultural sector. Many art workers, including artists themselves, work on a freelance basis or with short-term contracts without benefits, leading to issues around economic stability. There is an increasing call for unionization, fair pay, and improved working conditions within this art climate. In short, art workers include a broad spectrum of individuals who contribute to the production, dissemination, and interpretation of art, and the term highlights the idea that this creative work is essential labour that deserves recognition and fair compensation, principles that Platform BK strives for.

 

Join Platform BK!

For over 10 years Platform BK has been working for solidarity in the arts, better policy and a stronger position for art workers. We can do this thanks to our 600 members. We can really use your support, because the more members, the bigger our fist! You can become a member for as little as €5 a month, sign up here.