Where Culture Lives · The six islands · Curaçao

Curaçao

On Curaçao, income generation stands out as the distinctive secondary motivation, cited by 34% of respondents, which aligns with Curaçao's significantly higher rate of professional practitioners (33%). Cross-island variation is greatest in cinema attendance, where Curaçao (53%) leads the ABCSSS islands.

165 respondents33% professionalTambú · Tumba · SeúPapiamentu
Waving flag of Curaçao
Curaçao · Bandera
165Survey respondents33%Professional practitioners — highest53%Visit the cinema — highest36%Visit exhibitions34%Income as a motivator42%Archipelago funding average165Survey respondents33%Professional practitioners — highest53%Visit the cinema — highest36%Visit exhibitions34%Income as a motivator42%Archipelago funding average
WCL Artist Prize · Curaçao

The artists of Curaçao

Each piece offers its own reflection to the question 'Where does culture live?' The works offered an impression of cultural life, highlighting everyday practices, identity, memory and different forms of expression.

Principio Sling – Bo'i Palu (Under the tree)
Audiovisual · filmPrincipio SlingBo'i Palu (Under the tree)

A winning submission to the Where Culture Lives Artist Prize. For the full work and description, visit www.wcla.com.

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Duna Nos Awe Bo Pan di Kada Dia by Rebibá
Video artRebibáDuna Nos Awe Bo Pan di Kada Dia

A video work using bread as a metaphor for culture slowly being taken away — the erosion of space and heritage.

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Na Altar ku Seú by Quiwena Afra
MultidisciplinaryQuiwena AfraNa Altar ku Seú

A winning submission to the Where Culture Lives Artist Prize. For the full work and description, visit www.wcla.com.

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Kalbas di Kòrsou by Junaiska Geferts
Wearable art / installationJunaiska GefertsKalbas di Kòrsou

Wearable art and sculpture made from the calabash, a 1,500-year-old island material that carries Curaçao's story.

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SEU by dianjaranie peetam
Poemdianjaranie peetamSEU

A Papiamento poem on Seú — the harvest, its music and the rhythm that drives the farmers' work.

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Muchanan Perdi (Lost Children) by Sandra Leonora (Chana i Vali)
Painting / collageSandra Leonora (Chana i Vali)Muchanan Perdi (Lost Children)

A painted collage on lost children, by a multidisciplinary artist working in dance, art and performance.

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See all sixteen winners →
Cultural Practices & Activities

What people practise on Curaçao

Survey data from 165 respondents on the cultural practices and activities most present on Curaçao.

Practices done in the past 12 months

WCL survey · n=165 · % of respondents

WCL survey 2026 n=165. Visual Arts and Crafts lead cultural practice on Curaçao.

Activity most active in

WCL survey · n=165 · % of respondents

Crafts & Design is the primary area of active engagement for Curaçao respondents.

Focus Group Conversations

Six cultural domains on Curaçao

Focus group participants shared their experiences across six cultural domains. Below is the key finding from each domain as reported in the Curaçao validation session.

Domain 1 — Arts Education

Cultural Education (Formal)

Cultural education is present on the island but needs more time, space and infrastructure to fully develop its potential.

Domain 2 — Amateur Arts

Amateur Arts and Talent Development

The amateur arts scene is vibrant and active, yet faces structural vulnerabilities that threaten its long-term sustainability.

Domain 3 — Intangible Heritage

Intangible Cultural Heritage

Intangible cultural heritage is rich on Curaçao and remains actively practised across communities.

Domain 4 — Cultural Activities

Culture and Heritage Participation

Cultural activities on Curaçao are vibrant and widely attended, demonstrating strong community engagement.

Domain 5 — Civil Society

Supporting NGOs and Government

A diverse NGO network supports cultural life, but fragmentation limits collective impact and coordination.

Domain 6 — Creative Economy

Creative (Orange) Economy

The creative economy on Curaçao shows strong potential, though structural conditions to fully realise it are still developing.

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The six island profiles

ArubaBonaireCuraçaoSint MaartenSint EustatiusSaba

Download the WCL report

Detailed data per island are provided in the appendices of the final report. Survey breakdowns, focus-group transcripts and the full WCL recommendations are included therein.

Download the report (PDF) →