Fewer unemployed artists. 3 reasons why that's not good news.

Interesting news (from August) from the HBO Monitor was put out into the world today by lobbying club Arts 92. Never before has unemployment among new artist graduates been as low as in 2016. At only 3.1 per cent, it is even below the average of all HBO students. The average hourly wage of fresh artists does lie more than 30 per cent below that of their colleagues in other subjects.

But all in all: so those half a billion cuts to the arts have had pretty good consequences. Is this reason to cheer? I'd love to say so, but let's combine the news with a few other news facts.

Fewer jobs, more self-employed, more internships

As the HBO Monitor reports, falling unemployment is not directly due to job growth in the sector. A large number of graduates, unfortunately not precisely identified, work as self-employed entrepreneurs. The monitor then also says nothing about the average fees for these. After all, by hourly wages, they mean only the hours in paid employment.

From other messages we know that it is not only the number of self-employed people in the cultural sector that is rising sharply. We also see a rise in the number of fake internships, or graduate internships. Let's tone down the jubilation message already: the number of people registered as unemployed among artists is falling. The number of jobs in the arts sector is still declining.

Fewer students, not necessarily more quality

The HBO monitor also reports - as a possible explanation - that a sharp decline in the number of students accepted at art schools plays a role. However, nowhere in the key figures are these absolute numbers reported. The HBO monitor reports only percentages. A bit of searching reveals that a decline took place in the years between 2009 and 2016. So that now 1,600 fewer students enrolled at Arts Education than in 2009.

This is partly because art schools have been given the freedom to select more on quality. Another reason, of course, is that since the attack on the arts, the profession of artist has become even less popular, especially also among those very groups who strive for economic success, respect and recognition in our society. Of course, the fact that the average monthly salary of artist graduates is €1499 does not help either.

Picking up economy: more hospitality industry

The HBO Monitor goes on to report that increased employment may also be due to the improving economy. However, the attendance figures of smaller art institutions, performing arts and local museums in particular do not point to a huge booming business. The HBO Council therefore subtly reports that the upturn in the economy is also mainly responsible for increased employment in the hospitality industry.

Anyone who occasionally goes out can agree that the artistic quality of service in the patriotic hospitality industry has skyrocketed in recent years.

It is unfortunate that an institute that values truth and integrity so highly should be so sloppy and selective with its figures. It is even more unfortunate that an interest group like Kunsten 92 adopts it so uncritically.