LONDON.- With Amsterdam set to host the World Cities Culture Summit in November, a series of significant exhibitions and performances are taking place in London in 2014 and 2015, which highlight how major cities and leading institutions around the world are working together to maximise the potential of cultural exchange and bring important arts events to new audiences.

One of the most eagerly anticipated exhibitions of the year is Rembrandt Late Works, which opens at the National Gallery on 15 October 2014. This once in a lifetime show featuring famous masterpieces, rare drawings and prints is the result of collaboration with the Rijksmuseum. Another major retrospective, The Image as Burden, brings together almost two hundred drawings and paintings by artist Marlene Dumas, and is set to open at Tate Modern in February 2015, after first showing at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam.

The largest theatre company in the Netherlands, Toneelgroep Amsterdam, led by director Ivo van Hove, is collaborating with the Barbican and other companies around the world. This includes a production of Antigone starring Juliette Binoche, which will be performed at the Barbican in March 2015 and at Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam in April. Another large-scale Toneelgroep Amsterdam co-production, Kings of War, based on Shakespeare's Henry V, Henry VI and Richard III, is being staged in association with the Barbican Centre in London and Théâtre National de Chaillot in Paris.

The arrival of the historic Dutch clipper 'Stad Amsterdam' coincides with Totally Thames, a month long celebration of the river, which includes HippopoThames, the first UK commission by leading Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman.

The City of Amsterdam, in partnership with the Mayor of London and the World Cities Culture Forum, will welcome city leaders and cultural experts from twenty-seven cities around the world to Amsterdam from 12 to 14 November 2014, when they will exchange ideas about the role of culture in the success of cities. Amsterdam will be the third city to host the World Cities Culture Summit, following Istanbul in 2013 and London in 2012.

Deputy Mayor Kajsa Ollongren commented: 'The World Cities Culture Summit provides an unique opportunity for our city to share some of our approaches to cultural policy with other world cities, at the same time as learning from and being inspired by what they are doing. We want to develop and improve our own views on culture in relationship to innovation and economic, urban and social development.'

London's Deputy Mayor for Education and Culture Munira Mirza said: 'London and Amsterdam have historic links and reputations as trading cities. As these exciting exhibitions and productions show, cultural exchange is also becoming increasingly important, bringing new audiences and new opportunities for artists. There are numerous examples of this ongoing artistic trade between our countries, from Van Gogh's time in London to Steve McQueen and Peter Greenaway both residing in Amsterdam, and Nederland Dans Theater at Sadler's Wells to Akram Khan at Amsterdam Julidans Festival. One of the goals of the World Cities Culture Forum is to ensure this dynamic cross-pollination continues to flourish.'

Arts and culture contribute in many different ways to the economic, urban and social development of Amsterdam and the Metropolitan Area. The creative industries account for 10 per cent of all jobs in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. 'Amsterdam 2013', the city's jubilee year celebrating its cultural icons, has raised Amsterdam's international profile in terms of business and tourist numbers, attracting 11.4 million unique cultural visitors to the city in 2013.

This is why the City Board of Amsterdam will raise its annual cultural budget by 8 per cent from 2017, with a particular focus on innovation and talent development. With the City's new policies for Arts and Culture Education (making sure that every primary school pupil in Amsterdam receives cultural education up to two hours per week in the curriculum), it is investing in its cultural talent and audiences of tomorrow.

The World Cities Culture Summit 2014 will consider Amsterdam's approach to cultural policy as the starting point for discussion between the World Cities Culture Forum partner cities about their own successes, the challenges they face and what they might learn from each other.