Institutions involved
Several institutions are involved in implementing the Dutch policy regarding cultural objects from a colonial context.
Ministry of Education, Culture and Science
The Ministry of Culture, Education and Science is responsible for the policy and its funding. When objects from the State Collection are returned, the Ministry also bears the cost of transport.
Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands
The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed | RCE) is part of the Ministry of Culture, Education and Science and implements laws, regulations and policy, provides advice and develops practically applicable knowledge for those who manage heritage. This is done in cooperation with the Dutch heritage field, various ministries, and an (inter)national network. When objects from the Dutch State Collection are returned, the RCE coordinates the physical transfer if required.
Colonial Collections Committee
The independent Colonial Collections Committee advises the State Secretary for Culture and Media on requests for the return of cultural objects that were removed from their original setting in the context of colonial rule. The advice given by this committee is made public after the State Secretary has made a decision regarding that advice.
Colonial Collections Consortium
The Colonial Collections Consortium is a partnership of five organisations with considerable expertise in colonial collections: Museum Bronbeek, NIOD Institute for War, Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Rijksmuseum, Wereldmuseum and the RCE. The consortium supports institutions managing collections in provenance research by sharing knowledge, answering questions and providing stakeholders with a network. Point of contact for this is the supporting Bureau Colonial Collections Consortium.