Central

Federal Government

Despite the competency for cultural affairs has been transferred from the national level to the communities, the “bi-cultural institutions” in Brussels (neither Flemish nor French) remain under federal authority (the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie, the National Orchestra of Belgium and the Palais des Beaux-Arts).

Regional

Communities
Communities’ authorities are responsible for:

• Cultural affairs (both legislative and executive power);
• Setting up, running and financing cultural institutions;
• Support of cultural creativity and artistic activities;
• The external cultural policy and cooperation between the Communities for the joint interest representation in international organisations.
  
  

The competency of the Communities applies within the territorial determined linguistic areas and for cultural institutions in Brussels, which belong to one of the two linguistic groups;

Local ​

Provinces/Municipalities
Local authorities are responsible for:

• The participation in cultural activities in the framework of local self-administration, and
• Policy-shaping (only limited influence).
  

(Flemish provinces no longer have this competence as of 01/01/2018)

Responsible ministries/bodies

German Community – Ministry of Culture

The French Speaking Community

Flemish Community – Ministry of Culture, Youth Sports and Media

Sources

Constitution of Belgium (Constitution belge texte coordonné du 17 février 1994). In particular Art. 127 and 130

Law of Institutional Reform for the German Community (Loi de réformes institutionnelles pour la Communauté germanophone (31 décembre 1983)). In particular Art. 4, paragraph 1

Special law of Institutional Reform (Loi Spéciale de réformes institutionnelles du 8 Août 1980). In particular Art. 4. (Last consultation 13.01.12).

The French Speaking Community (Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles)

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