We do not have much to comment on Halbe Zijlstra's explanation. Other than that the state secretary of formerly culture breathes an almost legible sigh of relief now that he can almost close the 'arts' headache file. His "masterpiece", the amendment to the Specific Cultural Policy Act, is before the chamber and if it is approved (hammer piece), the state secretary does not really need to do anything more.
That is also why the explanatory note to the amendment begins by answering the VVD's questions. We quote:
Members of the VVD Group ask whether the government believes that the restructuring of the cultural subsidy system is not only necessary in connection with putting public finances in order. In connection with this, they also ask for confirmation that the restructuring will not be reversed when sufficient public funds are again available.
The government considers a change in cultural policy necessary because cultural policy is no longer in step with changes in society. The government acts too much as a financier and in the granting of subsidies there is now too little focus on public and entrepreneurship. The government wants cultural institutions and artists to become more entrepreneurial and acquire a larger share of their income themselves. Cultural institutions must become less dependent on the government and therefore more flexible and powerful. This starting point will remain intact even if there were more government funding. For the 2013-2016 subsidy period, the own income requirement is 17.5%. For the subsequent period 2017-2020, this admission requirement will be increased. The aim is to strike a better balance between subsidisation and entrepreneurship in the future.
So those who thought there was still love for the old system somewhere in the VVD now know better. Led by the ever-smiling hockey referee Bart @deliefde, nobody can count on anything anymore, even if the Netherlands wins the lotto.
And then there was that question about jobs. The rabidly left-wing Labour Party wondered if the state secretary knew how many people would be out on the streets. Simple answer in many words: no idea. Not to mention the countless self-employed in the sector:
Jobs will disappear, how many is hard to estimate. First, there are no good employment figures available now. Given the turnover, employment of cultural institutions subsidised by the state or a fund is estimated at around 16,500 full-time equivalents or FTEs. On average, 1 employed person in this sector counts for 0.70 FTEs. In persons, 16,500 FTEs then equals about 23,570 people. The exact number of people who will become unemployed cannot yet be determined with certainty. How many jobs eventually disappear depends on the extent to which institutions can continue with less subsidy or manage to find new money streams. Many part-timers work in the cultural sector. It is conceivable that they will have to rely more on other sources of income.
Read the rest below and judge for yourself.
Or emigrate.
Click to access wijziging-van-de-wet-op-het-specifiek-cultuurbeleid-nota-van-wijziging.pdf
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Culture one hundred and fourteen years ago and government policy 2011/2012.
In search of how Rudolf Steiner expresses himself on journalism and some of its facets, I pass texts on dramaturgy, theatre and the place of culture around 1898.
Rudolf Steiner humanities researcher 27-02-1861-30-03-1925†, there is much to be said against or for that. I can agree with his perspectives on the meaning of culture and its significance for society.
Translated from "Dramaturgische Blätter" 1e jrg. nr.3 Berlin and Weimar from October 1898, Organ des Deutschen Bühnenvereins.
"Theatre managements will no longer have to be forced to conform to audience tastes.
They will have to carry out their office from visions borne by ideals, over which the state keeps vigil.
The author believes, the theatre misery will cease, if no director has to have the fear, that his theatre will remain empty, if he serves the real art.
The theatres should not remain empty because another director serves superficial, low-down tastes and lures away his audience.
The state will-in the author's opinion-make all theatres equally subservient organs of true art, and any dirty competition should stop."
Dear Sytse Kooistra. We are studying a more arrogant text. But that will indeed take time. Thanks for the reminder. By the way, you can find the list of contributors at the bottom of the page.
From "about us": "...Instead of offering anonymous and generic general news on a subscription basis, the Cultural Press Bureau offers journalistic interpretation of and news about arts and culture in the broadest sense...". You can't make it more anonymous and arrogant.
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