4. Law and legislation
Belgium
Last update: November, 2020
The Belgian Constitution (i.e. “De gecoördineerde Grondwet” of 17 February 1994; see also 2.2) guarantees a number of fundamental rights for Belgian citizens, which include the freedom of expression (art. 19), the right to cultural development (art. 23, 5°), the freedom of press and prohibition of censorship (art. 25; see also 2.5.3), and the freedom of language use (art. 30; see also 4.1.8).
The Constitution determines cultural affairs as competences of the Communities, as well as cultural cooperation between the Communities and international cooperation on cultural affairs (art. 127, §1 and art. 130, §1; see also 1.2.3, 1.2.6, and 1.4.1). The exact scope of ‘cultural affairs’ was defined in other legislation. The current definition is to be found in art. 4 of the “Bijzondere wet tot hervorming der instellingen” (8 August 1980).
As a result of the Sixth State Reform (2012-2014), ‘Bicultural Matters of Regional Significance’ in the Brussels-Capital Region (see 1.2.3) are now under the remit of its regional government (art. 4bis of the “Bijzondere wet met betrekking tot de Brusselse Instellingen” of 12 January 1989). Art. 11 of the Constitution prohibits discrimination and is the basis of the Culture Pact (see 4.1.2).
Last update: November, 2020
The Culture Pact (“Cultuurpact”, which was codified in the law of 16 July 1973) is an important part of Federal legislation with regard to the allocation of public funding for culture. It was also set out in a Flemish decree (28 January 1974) and has served as a fundament for other decrees on the level of the Communities.
Building on art. 11 of the Belgian Constitution (see 2.2 and 4.1.1), the Culture Pact was intended to protect “ideological and philosophical factions” (the official title of the Culture Pact Law is “Wet van 16 juli 1973 waarbij de bescherming van de ideologische en filosofische strekkingen gewaarborgd wordt”). This is related to Belgium’s history being shaped by political and philosophical divisions (the so-called ‘zuilen’, see 1.1.). The Culture Pact stipulates different modes and levels of participation in the implementation of cultural policies, such as prior consultation of advisory bodies that represent the professional field. This has shaped later Flemish regulations on supporting the cultural field (see 1.2.3 and 4.2.1). Complaints about the violation of the regulations of the Culture Pact can be filed with the national Culture Pact Commission.
Legislation on the Flemish level has been an important factor in the history of local policies on culture, for example with regard to support for local culture centres and libraries. A significant part of these support measures eventually converged in the Decree on Local Cultural Policy of 2001, which underwent a number of changes in the following years — the current Decree is dated 6 July 2012. Some fundamental modifications happened in the wake of the ‘Internal State Reform’, including changes to the regulations on the funding of local authorities with regard to culture. Since 2016, this funding has been integrated into the Municipal Fund, in which it is no longer earmarked (see 1.2.4).[1] The divestment of the cultural competences of the provincial authorities (since 2018) in Flanders is another consequence of the Internal State Reform. This is codified in art. 2 (§ 3) of the current version of the Province Decree of 9 December 2005.
[1] In communes with linguistic facilities (see also 2.5.4) bordering Brussels-Capital Region, this reform took place in 2018.
Last update: November, 2020
Social Security is a competence of the Federal State (see 1.2.2). At the beginning of the new millennium, older social security measures aimed at artists were reformed. This resulted in legislation (see chapter 11 of the “Programmawet” of 24 December 2002) that enabled artists that receive unemployment benefits to practise their art more freely. Some specific regulations to this legal framework were added in later years (especially 2014).
This framework (also referred to as ‘social status of the artist’ or “sociaal statuut van de kunstenaar”) consists of a number of exceptions and adjustments to general regulations on social security that take into account the reality of an artist's career. It includes the following provisions:
- Artists are treated either as employees or as self-employed from the perspective of social security.[1] To stimulate salaried work for artists — which entitles them to a better social protection than is the case with working self-employed — employers are given a discount on their share of social security contributions to compensate for these additional costs. If artists cannot sign an employment contract with a client, they can still work as an employee if they possess an ‘artist visa’ (“kunstenaarsvisum”).
- Because working in short contracts for different employers would cause a lot of delay in the administration, payment of child and holiday allowances for artists (which are covered by the regulations for employees), have been simplified
- Clients who hire artists on an infrequent basis (e.g. for an occasional show in a bar or for a single commission) can call on the so-called ‘social bureaus for artists’ (“sociale bureaus voor kunstenaars” or SBKs) to take care of the employer's share of administrative procedures. These SBKs are specialist interim offices that are officially recognised by the Regional authorities.[2]
- There is also a ‘small expense compensation system’ (“kleine vergoedingsregeling” or KVR), in which, under certain conditions, artists can receive a fixed expense reimbursement that is exempt from social security contributions. As of 2007, this reimbursement is also tax free.
This system of measures has been the subject of recurrent criticism in the wake of debates on the socio-economic position of artists (see 2.3; the administrative complexity being one of the issues) or on alleged abuse.[3] The repercussions of the COVID-19 crisis reinvigorated the debate, also among politicians. The current Federal government mentioned a possible reform of the system in its coalition agreement.[4]
[1] There are only three social statuses in Belgium: employee, self-employed, and civil servant. The ‘social status of the artist’ is therefore not a separate social security status.
[2] Cultuurloket (see 7.2.1) compiled a list of SBKs recognized by the Flemish government. SMart is a well known provider of relatively similar services, but is officially not an SBK.
[3] See, for example: Vanheusden, Els. 2016. ‘Het sociaal statuut van de kunstenaar: van algemeen vangnet naar een visum voor “the happy few”?’ Auteurs & Media, nr. 2: 200–212; or the articles cultural magazine Rekto:Verso published on the topic in 2014.
[4] De Croo, Alexander, and Paul Magnette. 2020. ‘Verslag van de formateurs’, 36.
Last update: November, 2020
In the complex fiscal system of Belgium (with competences divided among the different levels of government), diverse tax regulations can be advantageous for artists, private donors or sponsors, or people owning art collections.
The standard VAT-rate, for example, is 21%, but there are exceptions in which the rate is 6% or 0%. These include the VAT on certain cultural goods and services (Cultuurloket provides an overview). Furthermore, we could mention lower taxation rates on income through royalties, or the treaties the Federal State has signed with other countries with regard to avoiding double taxation of non-residents working in Belgium. (Both Flanders DC and Cultuurloket (see 3.5.1 and 7.2.1) provide guides to the fiscal system for cultural professionals.)
There are a number of tax incentives that provide beneficial conditions for corporate or individual giving to cultural causes (although, compared to other countries, there is no widespread practice of private financing of culture, see 7.3).[1] Tax shelters exist for companies investing in audiovisual productions (since 2003) and performing arts[2] productions (since 2017), which allows them to get tax exemptions on these investments.[3] Companies can get tax deductions through sponsorship activities. Donations of more than EUR 40 to recognized (cultural) charities entitle individuals to a tax reduction. Under certain conditions, this also applies to the donation of works of art to public institutions. With regard to inheritance taxes, we should mention that succession duty can be fulfilled through the donation of works of art. This was the subject of Federal legislation, until it was ceded to the Regions in 2015.[4] In Flanders, bequeathing money to a charity is currently taxed at a lower rate (8.5%). Additionally, people can opt for a ‘duo legacy’, which means that heirs can donate (a part of) the inheritance to another beneficiary (including a non-profit organisation), in exchange for paying the succession duty. On 18 September 2020, a preliminary draft of a decree was approved by the Government of Flanders that will abolish the duo legacies in 2021. At the same time, the tax rate on bequeathing inheritances to charities will be reduced to 0% and a new tax exemption for donations to charities will be introduced
[1] For a comprehensive overview of options for private funding of culture in Flanders and Brussels (up until 2015), see De Voldere, Isabelle et al. 2015. Onderzoek naar de mogelijkheden van aanvullende financiering voor de culturele sector. Brussel: IDEA Consult/Departement Cultuur, Jeugd, Sport en Media van de Vlaamse Overheid.
[2] Here, ‘performing arts’ refers to theatre, circus, street theatre, opera, classical music, and music theatre.
[3] The Department of Culture, Youth, and Media of the Flemish government provides an overview of relevant legislation and reports with facts and figures on these tax shelter regulations.
[4] A 2017 proposal of the N-VA group in the Flemish Parliament on adjusting these regulations provides an overview of legislation relevant to this topic.
Last update: November, 2020
Labour policies reside with the Federal State. Social partners (unions and employer associations) are intensely involved in the process of installing regulations on labour. They meet in joint committees (“paritaire comités” or PC) with the aim of gathering organisations that work in a particular area of activities and developing and implementing labour agreements on those activities. To which PC an employer belongs, is determined on the basis of their activities. There is an extensive list of PCs, and the following pertain to large parts of the cultural sector:
- PC 227: audiovisual arts and media sectors
- PC 303: film: production, distribution, movie theatres
- PC 304: music and performing arts, live entertainment
- PC 329: non-profit cultural sector
These PCs make collective labour agreements (“collectieve arbeidsovereenkomsten” or CAO), which determine individual and collective relations (including wages, work flexibility, or establishing a fund for subsistence security, see 7.2.2) between employers and employees in companies and in respective branches. When an employer is bound by a CAO, the resulting rights and obligations apply to all employees. CAOs can be declared binding to the entire range of activities in a certain area. The CAO on music (which is arranged in PC 304), for example, applies to everyone employing a musician in Belgium.
Furthermore, we should mention that the culture sector is subject to exceptions to standard labour legislation, for example with regard to night work or the official status of Sundays as rest days.
Volunteering in non-profit cultural organisations is possible and bound to specific rules. Volunteers cannot receive a wage for their activities, but can get their expenses (limited to a certain amount per day) reimbursed. In 2018, a regulation for ‘side jobs’ (“bijklussen”) came into effect. This regulation allowed people to do paid services (until a certain limited amount of wage) for cultural and recreational organisations as a side job. The person providing the services should either be employed (at least 4/5), self-employed, or retired and these services should fall under a specified list of ‘non-professional’ activities. This regulation was abolished by the Constitutional Court in 2020, however, which means it will no longer be in effect as of 2021.
Last update: November, 2020
Legislation on intellectual property resides with the Federal policy field of Economy. Since 2015, regulations on intellectual property — including copyright (“auteursrecht”, which then encompasses resale rights, lending rights, reprography rights, etc.) and related rights (“naburige rechten”) — are subsumed under Book XI of the Code of Economic Law, which replaces the older law of 30 June 1994 (“Wet betreffende het auteursrecht en de naburige rechten”). Through the years, these regulations have been adapted to European (and other international) Directives.
Artists can become a member of collective management organisations (“collectieve beheersvennootschappen”) to take care of the management of their copyright or related rights. These include Sabam (which gathers authors, composers, and publishers of different disciplines), Sofam (specialised in visual artists’ intellectual property rights), PlayRight (specialised in related rights of musicians, actors, dancers, and circus and vaudeville artists), deAuteurs (which gathers authors in performing arts, literature, and media), Simim (specialised in related rights of music producers), and Semu (which gathers publishers of sheet music).
Last update: November, 2020
The Law of 30 July 2018 (“Wet betreffende de bescherming van natuurlijke personen met betrekking tot de verwerking van persoonsgegevens”) stipulates regulations on the processing of personal data. This law takes into account the EU Regulation known as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The Federal Chamber of Representatives established an independent Data Protection Authority in 2017, which has the mission to ensure that the ground rules on the protection of personal data are respected in Belgium.
Last update: November, 2020
The Belgian Constitution (see 4.1.1) guarantees the freedom of (private) language use (art. 30). However, a historical corpus of laws has provided further stipulations on language communities, language areas, and language usage in, e.g., schools, law suits, services of public authorities, or at the workplace (see 2.5.4). Steunpunt Taalwetwijzer provides an online guide to legislation on language in the Dutch-speaking area of Belgium.
Flemish Sign Language (see 2.5.4 and 2.5.6) was officially recognized by Decree of 5 May 2006 (“Decreet houdende de erkenning van Vlaamse gebarentaal”).
Last update: November, 2020
Section 5 deals with arts and cultural education. Policies on education are a competence of the Communities in Belgium (with a only small part of legislation residing with the Federal State). Legislation and policy documents on the Flemish education system can be consulted through Edulex. The education goals (“onderwijsdoelen”) in secondary education are currently in a process of reform. The legal documents in which these new attainment targets and other goals are grounded, can be consulted at onderwijsdoelen.be. The new Decree on out-of-school childcare (“Decreet houdende de organisatie van buitenschoolse opvang en de afstemming tussen buitenschoolse activiteiten” of 3 May 2018) will come into effect in 2021. Part-time education in the arts was recently reformed by the Decree of 9 March 2018.
Several subsections of section 2 refer to equal opportunities policies, which are divided among different levels of government (Communities, Federal State, provincial, and local authorities) and different policy areas. The website of the Flemish policy field of Equal Opportunities provides an overview of Flemish, Federal, and international legislation. An important part of legislation is the Decree of 10 July 2008 (“Decreet houdende een kader voor het Vlaamse gelijkekansen- en gelijkebehandelingsbeleid”).
Last update: November, 2020
In Belgium, Culture is foremost a competence of the Communities (see 1.2.3). We therefore focus in this section on legislation (decrees) on culture in the Flemish Community. Table 2a presents a selection of decrees that are currently in effect and that provide the framework for cultural policies and trends discussed throughout the other sections.[1] The table mentions the section(s) in which (the reform of) these decrees and related policy instruments are elaborated. Some of these decrees apply to specific sectors (arts, cultural heritage, circus, etc.) and are therefore referred to in the other subsections of 4.2. Other decrees have a scope that spans the entire cultural field or even other policy fields (e.g. with regard to participation or (supra)local policies).
A great deal of the regulations codified in the mentioned decrees pertain to the procedures and the scope of funding instruments for cultural initiatives. Though political primacy (see 1.2.3) is an important principle in funding for culture, these regulations often contain procedures on consultation of advisory bodies — which is in line with the principles laid down in the Culture Pact legislation (see 4.1.2).
Note that Immovable Heritage is a separate policy field, within the remit of the Regions (not the Communities). Relevant legislation is therefore not included in Table 2a, but is dealt with in 4.2.2.
Table 2a. Selective list of decrees providing cultural legislation in the Flemish Community
| Title of the decree | Date of adoption | Read more in: |
| Arts Decree (“Kunstendecreet” or “Decreet betreffende de ondersteuning van de professionele kunsten”) | 13/12/2013 | 1.1, 1.3.2, 1.3.3, 2.9, 3.3-3.5.6, 5.4, 7.2.1 |
| Cultural Heritage Decree (“Cultureel Erfgoeddecreet” or “Decreet houdende de ondersteuning van cultureelerfgoedwerking in Vlaanderen”) | 24/2/2017 | 1.1, 1.3.2, 1.3.3, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5.2, 3.5.4, 3.5.5, 5.4, 7.2.1 |
| Decree on Amateur Arts (“Decreet betreffende de amateurkunsten”) | 22/12/2000 | 3.3, 3.4, 3.5.2, 3.5.4, 5.4, 6.4, 7.2.1 |
| Participation Decree (“Participatiedecreet” or “Decreet houdende flankerende en stimulerende maatregelen ter bevordering van de participatie in cultuur, jeugdwerk en sport” | 18/1/2008 | 1.1, 2.5.1, 2.5.6, 2.6, 6.1 |
| Decree Socio-Cultural Work for Adults (“Decreet houdende de subsidiëring en erkenning van het sociaal-cultureel volwassenenwerk”) | 7/7/2017 | 1.1, 1.3.2, 5.4, 6.4 |
| Decree on Supralocal Cultural Activities (“Bovenlokaal Cultuurdecreet” or “Decreet betreffende de bovenlokale cultuurwerking”) | 15/6/2018 | 1.1, 1.2.4, 3.2 |
| Decree on Local Cultural Policy (“Decreet betreffende het Lokaal Cultuurbeleid”) | 6/7/2012 | 1.2.4, 3.2, 4.1.2 |
| Province Decree (“Provinciedecreet”) | 9/12/2005 | 1.2.4, 4.1.2 |
| Circus Decree (“circusdecreet” or “Decreet houdende een circusbeleid”) | 1/3/2019 | 3.3, 7.2.1 |
| Masterpieces Decree (“Topstukkendecreet” or “Decreet van 24 januari 2003 houdende bescherming van het roerend cultureel erfgoed van uitzonderlijk belang”) | 24/1/2003 | 3.4 |
| Media Decree (“Mediadecreet” or “Decreet betreffende radio-omroep en televisie”) | 27/3/2009 | 2.5.3 |
| Decree on Youth Accomodation (“decreet Jeugdverblijfcentra” or “Decreet houdende subsidiëring van hostels, jeugdverblijfcentra, ondersteuningsstructuren en de vzw Algemene Dienst voor Jeugdtoerisme”) | 6/7/2012 | 6.4 |
| Decree on the establishment of the SARC (“Decreet houdende de oprichting van de Raad voor Cultuur, Jeugd, Sport en Media”) | 30/11/2007 | 1.2.3 |
The so-called ‘Collection Decree’ (“Verzameldecreet” or “Decreet houdende diverse bepalingen in het beleidsveld cultuur” of 29 March 2019) is not mentioned in other sections. This recent legislation adjusted some regulations (e.g. on the centres of expertise and on technical matters) of the decrees in Table 2a, partly as an attempt to streamline certain policies within the whole policy field of Culture.
Legislation on the level of the Federal State that is relevant for cultural affairs, is discussed throughout 4.1 (including the ‘social status of the artist’, see 4.1.3).
Table 2b. International legal instruments implemented in the cultural field in Belgium
| Title of the act | Year of adoption |
| UN International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights | 1983 |
| Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Architectural Heritage of Europe | 1993 |
| UNESCO Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage | 1994 |
| Council of Europe Convention on Cinematographic Co-production | 2003 |
| UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage | 2006 |
| UNESCO 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property | 2009 |
| UNESCO Second Protocol to the Hague Convention of 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict | 2010 |
| UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage | 2010 |
| Council of Europe European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage (Revised) | 2010 |
| UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions | 2011 |
| UN Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights | 2011 |
| Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society | 2012 |
| Council of Europe Convention on Cinematographic Co-production (revised) | 2018 |
Belgium is a member state of international bodies such as the Council of Europe and UNESCO (see 1.1 and 1.4.2). The Flemish government is involved in these bodies, either through the Belgian membership or through independent relations. Table 2b presents a list of culture-related treaties of these international bodies that were adopted by the Belgian State and apply to Flanders.[2]
For a discussion of treaties signed between the Flemish government and other regions or countries, see 1.4.1.
[1] The texts of these decrees can be consulted in the legal database Vlaamse Codex or in the database of the Belgian Official Gazette. For a history of changes to the regulation of the Arts Decree until 2019, see this timeline.
[2] This list is based on the overview of multilateral treaties on culture provided by the Flanders Departement of Foreign Affairs.
Last update: November, 2020
Cultural heritage — i.e. archive documents, manuscripts, works of art, old utensils, immaterial heritage, etc. — is a matter falling under the policy field of Culture, which is a competence of the Flemish Community. Immovable heritage is a separate policy field, residing with the Regions (see 1.2.3).
The Cultural Heritage Decree of 24 February 2017 is the most important legal framework for cultural heritage in the Flemish Community, arranging project-based support and grants (see 7.2.1) or multi-year funding for organisations such as museums (also art museums), archives, heritage libraries, or heritage societies (see especially 3.1 and 3.2). The Masterpieces Decree (“Topstukkendecreet”) of 23 January 2003 provides regulation on the protection and trafficking of rare and valuable artistic and cultural assets from Flanders (see also 3.4). Legislation on archive management of public institutions resides with both the Federal level and the level of the Communities and Regions. Belgium has signed a number of international treaties with regard to cultural and immaterial heritage (see 4.2.1).[1]
The Decree on Immovable Heritage of 12 July 2013 (“Onroerenderfgoeddecreet”) provides the legal framework for monuments, landscapes, and archaeological sites in the Flemish Region. With regard to nautical heritage there is the Heritage Fleet Decree of 29 March 2002 (“Varenderfgoedecreet”). Together with international treaties (see 4.2.1), these decrees are the basis for assigning legal statuses to immovable heritage (see 1.3.2 and 3.1). Regulation on immovable heritage in the Brussels-Capital Region is subsumed under the Brussels Code of Spatial Planning of 9 April 2004.
[1] See also the overview of policy documents on cultural heritage by centre of expertise FARO.
Last update: November, 2020
The Arts Decree of 13 December 2013 is the main legislative framework for supporting the professional arts in the Flemish Community (see 1.3.2, 1.3.3, 3.3, 3.5.4, 5.4, and 7.2.1). This includes project support, grants, residencies, and multi-year funding for performing arts (theatre, dance, music theatre, performance art), music, visual arts, (‘multiple screen’) audiovisual arts, design, architecture, and multi- and transdisciplinary arts. The Arts Decree is currently being reformed (see 2.9).
The Circus Decree of 1 March 2019 provides separate regulations for circus arts. As of 2021, it will replace older legislation that is still in effect in 2020.
The Decree on Amateur Arts of 22 December 2000 arranges support for amateur artists in different disciplines, including performing arts and music.
The Federal legislation on the tax shelter for the performing arts is discussed in 4.1.4.
Last update: November, 2020
The Arts Decree of 13 December 2013 is the main legislative framework for supporting the professional arts in the Flemish Community (see 1.3.2, 1.3.3, 3.4, 5.4, and 7.2.1). This includes project support, grants, residencies, and multi-year funding for performing arts, music, visual arts (sculpture, painting, drawing, multimedia, sound art, photography, etc.), (‘multiple screen’) audiovisual arts, design, architecture, and multi- and transdisciplinary arts. The Arts Decree is currently being reformed (see 2.9). The Flemish Audiovisual Fund (VAF) provides funding for (‘single screen’) audiovisual productions. Museums for fine arts and for contemporary arts receive support through the Cultural Heritage Decree (see 4.2.2).
The Masterpieces Decree (“Topstukkendecreet”) of 23 January 2003 provides regulation on the protection and trafficking of rare and valuable art works from Flanders (see also 4.2.2).
The Decree on Public Art Commissions of 1 March 2019 (formerly known as ‘Percentage Decree’) stipulates that a part of the renovation or building costs of public infrastructure must be invested in the commission of a work of art.
The Decree on Amateur Arts of 22 December 2000 arranges support for amateur artists in different disciplines, including (audio)visual arts.
Last update: November, 2020
Funding for the literature and books sector is provided by Flanders Literature (see 1.2.3 and 3.5.2), which functions separately from the Arts Decree. This funding body was established by the Decree of 30 March 1999.
The Decree of 23 December 2016 introduced a regulated book price in Flanders. This means that publishers (or importers) set the price of a book (both paper and e-book), which has to be respected by book vendors for a period of at least six months. Limited price reductions are possible under certain conditions and the rules do not apply to certain genres of books (such as scientific or educational works). Publishers or importers can register the price of books in the online database Boekenbank.
The Decree on Amateur Arts of 22 December 2000 arranges support for amateur artists in different disciplines, including amateur authors.
There is also important legislation on the Federal level. The Law of 8 April 1965 on the Legal Deposit stipulates that copies of every publication that is published on Belgian territory or that is written by an author domiciled in Belgium must be submitted to the National Library of Belgium (KBR). The Royal Order of 13 December 2012 specifies the fee that authors receive when their books are on loan in public libraries (the general provisions for lending rights are codified in copyright legislation, see 4.1.6).
Last update: November, 2020
Funding for audiovisual productions (film, television series, games) is provided by the Flemish Audiovisual Fund (VAF; see 1.2.3 and 3.5.3), which functions separately from the Arts Decree. The latter, however, does provide funding options for audiovisual work for multiple screens (which is usually shown in the exhibition circuit). The VAF was established by the Decree of 13 April 1999.
There are also economic funds for audiovisual production outside the policy field of Culture. These are linked to competences of the Regions. Screen Flanders operates in the Flemish Region and the Screen.brussels Fund in the Brussels-Capital Region.
The Media Decree of 27 March 2009 is the main legal framework for broadcasting in the Flemish Community. The Flemish Regulator of the Media (see 2.5.3) provides an overview of additional stipulations and regulations on broadcasting.
Last update: November, 2020
The Arts Decree of 13 December 2013 is the main legislative framework for supporting the professional arts in the Flemish Community (see 1.3.2, 1.3.3, 3.5.5, 5.4, and 7.2.1). This includes project support, grants, residencies, and multi-year funding for performing arts, music, visual arts, (‘multiple screen’) audiovisual arts, design, architecture, and multi- and transdisciplinary arts. The funded architecture and design activities should be non-commercial (thus excluding commissions for designing buildings, for example) and artistically oriented or focussed on reflection. The Arts Decree is currently being reformed (see 2.9). Support for commercial activities is arranged by legislation in other policy fields than Culture (see 3.5.1).
The profession of architects is officially protected in Belgium. (Access to) this profession is regulated by Federal legislation — including an obligatory registration with the Order of Architects.