Discount news: cut in government websites and action for Metropole orchestra

Donner Puts Knife In Websites Central Government

The ministries collectively run nearly 400 websites, most of which do not meet official accessibility requirements. Minister Donner wants a clean-up first. (..)
Municipalities, of which only 2 per cent are fully compliant with the web guidelines, have until the end of 2012 to meet the lowest level and two more years after that to fully comply with the web guidelines.

Source: DomesticBoard 14 Nov 11

 

Amersfoort Culture Fund launched

Five residents of Amersfoort have set up the Amersfoort Culture Fund with the Prince Bernhard Culture Fund Utrecht. From Saturday 19 November, it will be possible for residents of the Amersfoort region to donate to the fund. The Amersfoort Culture Fund wants to support cultural and artistic initiatives.

Source: Cultural policy.co.uk 15 Nov 11

Zeeland - Culture requires sharp choices

Despite the fact that substantial cuts will have to be made, the provincial government is committed to a full and high-quality cultural offer in Zeeland. (..)
The [provincial culture] memorandum will be drafted during 2012. Delegate Ben de Reu (PvdA, culture) has already repeatedly warned that the culture sector must reckon with hefty cuts. (..)
For instance, Gedeputeerde Staten does not necessarily consider it necessary for everything to be present within the provincial borders. The supply in the surrounding provinces can provide what is missed in Zeeland "For this same reason, we also do not consider it necessary for every Zeeland region to have a complete cultural provision level." (..)
To cope with the cuts as much as possible, the provincial government is focusing on even more cooperation and coordination with other parties, such as with the municipalities through the 'regional arrangements'. Additional efforts are also being made to secure more European subsidies. Furthermore, cultural organisations will have to seek cooperation, especially behind the scenes, to work more efficiently. They should also look for other sources of income (cultural entrepreneurship). In addition, the province wants to look at other possibilities of cooperation between culture and private parties.

Source: BNDeStem 15 Nov 11

Music ensembles severely duped by new Performing Arts Fund policy

(...) With most ensembles nowhere near the maximum eligible number of 80 concerts, the new policy will be very negative for many. Even the leading ensembles will not be spared, facing reductions of several tonnes to 75%.
Overall, the Fund has chosen to hit the music sector extra hard in its already very large austerity mission. Ensembles will lose 45%, a disproportionate cut that will hit the sector very hard. (..)

Source: Ver.Ned. Music Ensembles 08 Nov 11

 

Artists support Metropole Orchestra with single

Glennis Grace, Leonie Meijer, Ruth Jacott, Karin Bloemen and Felix Maginn of Moke together record a single for the Metropole Orchestra. With the single, the artists call attention to the orchestra, which will soon no longer receive a subsidy from the government. (..)
Without a government subsidy, the Metropole Orchestra's existence is uncertain. The orchestra, which consists of more than 50 musicians, works extensively with artists from home and abroad. (..)

Source: NLTracks 15 Nov 11

Amsterdam-West - Fijnhouttheater closed after subsidy halt

The Finewood in West is to close. Now that it is certain that the cultural and community centre can no longer rely on subsidies, they can no longer cope financially. From 1 January it will be over. (..)
The operating subsidy from Stadsdeel West ends, making the centre for theatre, media and arts and cultural education no longer profitable. (..)

Source: AT5

Amsterdam cuts culture; cultural education spared

Amsterdam is drastically cutting back on culture, but sparing the cultural education programme. This is evident from the recently presented Main Lines Art and Culture 2013-2016. The aim remains that all primary school pupils in Amsterdam receive three hours of cultural education per week. From school year 2013-2014, at least one hour a week of music lessons at school will be made possible. Amsterdam also opts for youth theatre, cultural institutions with a neighbourhood function and maintaining production houses. An evaluation by Oberon of the cultural education system in Amsterdam is attached to the main outlines.

Source: Culture network.co.uk 14 Nov 11