At this year’s CreActivo Conference, we didn’t just talk about creativity; we tackled the structure that determines whether creativity thrives or withers. And one voice made it unmistakably clear: policy matters.
Sinthya Riddertsaat took the stage with a presentation that cut through the noise. It wasn’t feel-good. It was feel-responsible. She reminded the room full of artists, educators, government officials, and creatives that vision without structure is wishful thinking.
“Policy is not just a government issue.”
That was one of her boldest declarations. In a landscape like Aruba, where cultural governance has too often shifted with every election cycle, Sinthya laid out a roadmap that was firm, clear, and unapologetically grounded in research, structure, and participation.
Her presentation broke down the three crucial phases of policymaking:
- Preparation: Knowing what you’re trying to achieve and what exists already.
- Formulation: Defining measurable goals, tools, and frameworks.
- Evaluation: Reviewing impact, exposing flaws, and making adjustments.
It sounds basic, but as Sinthya showed, Aruba still lacks a truly integrated cultural policy. The frameworks have been sketched, SWOT analyses were made, reports were written… and yet execution remains inconsistent, underfunded, and vulnerable to political winds.
Research + Capacity Building = Cultural Security
Sinthya made a compelling case for a combined research approach, quantitative data to measure trends, and qualitative inquiry to understand meaning and context. This dual lens isn’t academic fluff; it’s the only way to design evidence-based cultural policy.
She also delivered a masterclass on capacity building: the need to train, certify, and empower cultural professionals, not just rely on their passion. Sustainability, she argued, comes not from heroism but from systems.
Her message was simple:
“If we want culture to be respected, protected, and resourced, it must be governed wisely.”
And that governance cannot rest on one ministry, one person, or one budget line. It must be shared across stakeholders, with NGOs, creatives, civil servants, and researchers all seated at the table.
What’s next?
Sinthya’s call to action wasn’t vague. She proposed:
- Stakeholder-inclusive policy design.
- Implementation with clear timelines and funding.
- Removal of excessive political interference.
- New support structures if the current ones no longer serve.
She closed with a vision many in the room are now echoing: short, mid, and long-term cultural policies with actual teeth, supported by data, guided by professionals, and protected from political short-termism.
To Sinthya Ridderstaat: Thank you for raising the bar. For reminding us that cultural development isn’t just a celebration: It’s a discipline.
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