WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao will allocate nearly XCG 13 million to culture in 2027, but only XCG 250,000 will be available for new investments, representing a reduction of XCG 875,000 compared with this year.
According to the 2027 budget, the capital allocation for “Subsidies and Contributions for Culture” falls from XCG 1.125 million in 2026 to XCG 250,000 next year, a decline of nearly 80 percent.
The reduction stands out because the government is presenting culture as a separate policy area in the new budget and has outlined broad ambitions for strengthening Curaçao’s cultural sector.
Most of the nearly XCG 13 million allocated to culture next year will instead cover existing expenditures, subsidies and other recurring costs.
On the ordinary budget, the category “Subsidies and Contributions for Culture” actually increases from almost XCG 1.74 million in 2026 to nearly XCG 1.96 million in 2027. However, this does not mean cultural organizations will receive more subsidy funding.
The actual subsidy component remains unchanged at XCG 1.3 million in both 2026 and 2027. Most of the increase comes from spending on goods and services, which rises from XCG 380,000 this year to XCG 600,000 next year.
Funding for Biblioteka Publiko Kòrsou will also remain unchanged at XCG 3.8 million in 2027. The multi-year budget keeps that amount at the same level through 2030.
The government will allocate almost XCG 1.2 million to antiquities and museums, also unchanged from 2026 and projected to remain at that level through 2030.
Another XCG 4.2 million appears under “Other Culture and Sports,” including XCG 2.5 million in subsidies. However, because that category combines culture and recreation, the entire amount cannot be considered cultural spending.
The sharp reduction in capital spending is expected to last for two years. Only XCG 250,000 is budgeted for cultural investments in both 2027 and 2028. The amount is then projected to rise to XCG 1.25 million annually in 2029 and 2030.
Regular cultural expenditure, meanwhile, remains around XCG 12.7 million throughout the multi-year period.
This means that for every XCG 100 allocated to the cultural policy area in 2027, less than XCG 2 will be available for investment.
The limited investment allocation contrasts with the government’s stated objectives of protecting cultural heritage, strengthening national identity and social cohesion, expanding cultural education and further professionalizing Curaçao’s cultural sector.