What happened to the five million Overijssel gave the orchestra in 2011 to 'get more money from the market'? This was also something councillor Van Abbema wondered, and the answers the province gave her mostly raise more questions. It is abundantly clear that the province wants to keep the orchestra no matter what and does not want to know about a merger with Gelderland.
To start immediately with that possible merger, the province of Overijssel writes: 'the province of Gelderland is investing heavily in the operation and accommodation of the Arnhem Philharmonic Orchestra. Far-reaching integration between the two orchestras therefore does not seem obvious.'
Meanwhile, the reality is more complicated. Because, the Arnhem city council has not agreed to a new hall for Het Gelders Orkest, and is explicitly asking questions about its operation. Questions that the province of Overijssel stubbornly refuses to ask about the operation of HET symphony orchestra, let alone request correct figures, because the province too, like minister Jet Bussemaker to Culture in focus, the ministry's report which contains not the correct figures but estimates.
Bridging finance and investment capital
Back to those five million. These were made available for "a combination of bridge financing and investment capital to develop own earning capacity through the implementation of the Business plan' (province's capital letter).
In fact, the problems start here. For it is clear that the province has not earmarked the money or has not earmarked it adequately. It is quite possible that HET Orkest used the provincial millions mainly to absorb Halbe Zijlstra's cuts. If so, the provincial millions were used for regular operations. And now so on. Because HET Symphony Orchestra is as good as bankrupt. Indeed, in 2014, audience and sponsorship income fell alarmingly. The operating deficit now exceeds equity. Even 2015, with the cancellation of concerts, will certainly not show an increase in income.
Next, the province mentions seven projects 'involving revenue generation'. We run through them all.
1. Fund applications
This resulted in an initial project grant from Brussels. Money has also been used to acquire necessary knowledge. Other than that, it is still yielding very little.
2. Sponsorship & Patronage
Although money has been used to develop "policy and related tools", the results have been more than disappointing: sponsorship income actually fell.
3. Pricing
In collaboration with the University of Twente, a study was conducted to determine whether increasing prices would lead to more revenue. Cost of the study: unknown. Conclusion of the study: no, it does not generate more revenue.
4. Innovation experience
The orchestra has developed all kinds of new concepts that have allowed it to reach more young people in particular. It led to an audience increase of more than 10%. However, running through the figures shows that audience revenue per visitor fell from €4.70 in 2013 to €3.15 in 2014. In other words: HET Symphony Orchestra was already attracting a lot of audiences that yielded nothing, but is now attracting even more audiences that yield even less.
5. Production house
The orchestra has formed ensembles "which are, as it were, the orchestra's antennae in society". But again: this has required investment, but has not yet yielded anything. However, the province does note 'The task now is to cash in on that.' How is unclear.
6. E-marketing
The orchestra has invested money in professionalising its marketing. However, this has merely led to more visitors in home town Enschede, where the number of subscriptions increased sharply. Elsewhere, attendance actually declined.
7. Structure and flexibility
The orchestra has said goodbye to B3 status. In other words, the employment status of orchestra members has worsened with the aim of 'flexibilising and increasing productivity'. But more revenue has not resulted from this either.
Other questions
To Van Abbema's questions about cancelling performances in Deventer and Zwolle the expected answers. They are not profitable. Nor did experimenting with giving concerts on other days and times result in extra income. Extra income did come from two educational projects, for which the province transferred a total of €46,873, although the orchestra reports that this still does not break even.
The main question
The amounts made available by the states were aimed at enabling the orchestra to stand on its own feet by 2018. Is this goal still achievable?
Given the above, only one answer seems possible: no, this goal is not achievable. However, the province notes that "the orchestra has indeed taken up the challenge of cultural entrepreneurship" and "It gives confidence that the orchestra itself is taking responsibility for its operations and that it is taking timely measures and making sharp choices. However, the province does want quarterly information on operating results 'so that we can monitor the performance agreements made and the achievement of financial independence.'
New questions
Van Abbema is not satisfied with the province's answers, and has now put them on the agenda for the next state meeting where she will ask additional questions.
A leap forward
From all the responses, it appears that the business plan is not having the desired effect anywhere and it is very unlikely to change. Yet the province insists that all will be well. Why? That five million has disappeared and is not coming back.
In the previous cabinet, provincial protectionism led to the Bosma/De Liefde motion, aiming to keep the Limburg Symphony Orchestra and Brabant Orchestra. A year later, they merged as yet to form Philharmonie Zuidnederland.
Opposition to mergers is everywhere. Understandable, because why would an orchestra operating artistically at the highest level want to merge into a larger entity? But the balderdash led by Halbe Zijlstra cannot be reversed. Muddling through is a recipe for disaster. Then the level drops, concerts have to be cancelled and one hole in the budget is filled with another. Sticking to one's own interests ultimately leads to only losers.
[Tweet "Sticking to self-interest ultimately leads to mere losers"]Opinion
Dare, precisely for the love of music, to take a leap forward, as orchestras and provincial governments. Precisely a fusion orchestra can realise regional, national and international ambitions in a financially responsible way with Arnhem and Enschede as permanent home ports.
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