Amsterdam Arts Council whistles back culture alderman

'Not ripe for decision-making'. That is the verdict of the Amsterdam Arts Council today on the plan that culture councillor Kajsa Ollongren last week presented. In that plan, the role of the arts council would be minimised, and a system would be rigged with a basic infrastructure of big institutions, and a lot of loose stuff that would be subsidised through a fund.

This model, derived from the national one, has not been adequately thought through, according to the arts council. The council begins by arguing that there is already no reason for it because the existing system is not unnecessarily expensive and bureaucratic, while the proposed system involves numerous new arrangements and consultation structures. Moreover, and here the council certainly has a point, the alderman, with her plan to put coaching and talent guidance in the hands of the big institutions, is closing those big institutions a task that is far too heavy. In addition, many institutions are now suddenly once again unsure of their existence, because the existing system, which was meant to guarantee that livelihood, is being jettisoned.

According to the Amsterdam Arts Council, much deliberation is needed before the city council can vote on the new policy.

The entire opinion can be found here.