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Performing arts promotion office kaputt

We are far from having all the info, but we have enough by now: the Bureau Promotie Podiumkunsten (BPP), funded by the Association of Theatre and Concert Hall Managements, is quitting as of 1 October. Reason unknown, but surely the malaise in the cultural sector, and especially the performing arts, will have something to do with it.

Earlier, it was revealed that the Dutch Association of Performing Arts, the NAPK, had been virtually decimated thanks to the subvention cut that hit the performing arts harder than all the other arts put together, leaving many of its staff on the street. That the entire BPP now has to close down, and 12 people with a nice education and totally irrelevant work experience (according to the UWV) are out on the street, is a telling sign.

Should anyone still want anything with the Giving Act by Martin Bosma and Halbe Zijlstra: the time to invest in the performing arts seems to be definitely over. After all: that BPP had also taken over the tasks of the Netherlands Theatre Institute, where it came to promoting Dutch performing arts abroad. That too is now ending, or being taken over in a death house from which a few directors are taking a second mortgage.

It is deeply sad

The crisis needs some time. Starting this autumn, the balderdash will become increasingly clear. We will keep you informed.

Good to know
Of course, it could all be because of mismanagement, mismanagement and hubris. The official letter from the board can be found here. Indeed something about 'others taking over'. Meaningful quote: "Nevertheless, it is positive that solutions have been found whereby the grants provided remain available to continue the ongoing projects."

https://cultureelpersbureau.nl//wp-content/uploads/2013/08/brief-dd-02082013.pdf

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Wijbrand Schaap

Cultural journalist since 1996. Worked as theatre critic, columnist and reporter for Algemeen Dagblad, Utrechts Nieuwsblad, Rotterdams Dagblad, Parool and regional newspapers through Associated Press Services. Interviews for TheaterMaker, Theatererkrant Magazine, Ons Erfdeel, Boekman. Podcast maker, likes to experiment with new media. Culture Press is called the brainchild I gave birth to in 2009. Life partner of Suzanne Brink roommate of Edje, Fonzie and Rufus. Search and find me on Mastodon.View Author posts

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