Based on the German model, the Dutch Departement van Volksvoorlichting en Kunsten [DVK, “Department of Public Information and the Arts”] was established on November 27, 1940. The DVK was overseen by the Dutch Nazi Dr. Toby Goedewaagen.

Inauguration Kultuurkamer, Royal Theatre, The Hague, May 30, 1942 (source: NIOD/WWII Image Bank)Goedewaagen felt that the time had come for a renaissance of Dutch culture in the spirit of the “New Era.” For the practical enforcement of his artistic policy he set up the Dutch Kultuurkamer [“Chamber of Culture”] on November 25, 1941. Under the guise of a professional organization for all artists, the Kultuurkamer propagated Nazi ideology and ensured that its artist members complied with it. All those active in the arts were required to join if they wished to continue working. All applicants were required to submit an ariërverklaring (a statement declaring they were not of
Dr. Toby Goedewaagen (source: NIOD/WWII Image Bank)Jewish blood). The Kultuurkamer consisted of six guilds representing each area of the arts, among which music. Jews were not admitted [and neither were “Negroes, Malaysians, and Indians”]. It was intended to become a professional membership organization, but it never came to that. Consequently, those who said they had never been members after the war were, strictly speaking, telling the truth.

Source: Nederland en de Tweede Wereldoorlog ["The Netherlands and WWII"], comp. René Kok and Erik Somers, NIOD; Uitgeverij Waanders, 2005