Curious: arts sector support institutes turn against plans for new theatre and music sector institutes

There are quite a few petitions floating around these days. The most curious of all petitions was in the digital mailbox today. In it, the existing support institutes in the cultural sector urge the Lower House not to put money into new support institutes. In doing so, clubs such as the Landelijk Kennniscentrum Amateurkunst (LKCA), Cultuur+Ondernemen, and the Boekmanstichting put a small, but rather well-aimed dagger in the back of those who are lobbying for a return - in some form - of the Sectorinstituut Theater (TIN) and the Muziekcentrum Nederland (MCN), which Halbe Zijlstra wrung the neck of in 2012.

In the petition reads:

'Delegate tasks to the most obvious party/parties and do not create new institutions. Yes, there are blank spots, but many of these lie in (an extension of) the fields of activity of existing institutions. This way, existing knowledge is used and expanded.

Heritage

During the past Theatre Festival, there was still widely discussed: the very heritage function of the TIN rescued from the estate, the library, is at risk of disappearing altogether by 2021. This is because the money from the institute's estate, which allowed the University of Amsterdam to continue maintaining the collection, will have run out by then. As nothing new has yet been thought up, the suggestion arose there to set up another new sector institute for Theatre. It is an ambition shared by many prominent figures in the sector. So the fellow sector institutes, which to a greater or lesser extent survived the previous wave of cuts, are now putting a stop to it.

Actually, this is quite conceivable. Take The New Institute, for example. That is a hitherto struggling fusion club in the architecture and design sector. People there would obviously not like it if part of the budget went to the restoration of the Theatre Institute. Then the Architecture Institute would probably also want to go back to being independent. And don't blame them.

Solidarity

As a sideline resident, one can only be surprised at so little solidarity in the sector. The petition cannot be read other than as a signal that the establishment does not want newcomers. Especially not if it is at the expense of that same establishment.

By now, it is clear that there will be considerable door slamming at the offices of the various parties involved.