It's not 50 billion, like in Germany, but it's more than nothing: the support measures Minister Ingrid van Engelshoven announced today for the hard-hit cultural sector. And, who knows, this may offer openings to do a few things completely differently after this crisis. For instance, it's great that the national museums don't have to pay rent for a while (three months), but you could also suggest turning that vest pockets and trouser pockets thing around after this. Why, as a government, do you subsidise an institution that then returns a significant portion of that subsidy directly to sender, but to a different counter, namely the real estate department/rijksgebouwendienst, or whoever gets rich from that.
Well, it's just a little thing. Nice for now, of course, that the central government itself will not bother for a while about whether you comply with your subsidy conditions. Money for the third quarter has already been transferred, so that outstanding bills can be paid, also to freelancers and self-employed people. Thanks for that, also on behalf of many fellow professionals.
Forbidden or not?
Furthermore, there are still some questions. For instance, it is not at all clear to many institutions whether their activities are now banned until 1 June, or whether - if they remain closed after 6 April - they are in default. Has to do with the rush of the previous decree, as only events requiring a permit were covered by the ban then. Tricky if you want to cancel but have no legal grounds, as then you are obliged to pay all costs and possibly even damages. Minister Ingrid van Engelshoven now promises that this will be clarified by 31 March 2020 at the latest. That is already nice for smaller galleries and art buildings, where only a few people can enter. For larger venues, it's trickier.
For instance, when do you cancel a pop festival and what do you do with the tickets already sold? The minister is now calling on citizens not to start asking for money back if possible. Because, to be clear, every citizen does have a right to that. Ticket bought, that is an agreement, and if there is no delivery, the agreement is dissolved and the money has to be returned. Since 1 January this year, fortunately, also including the sometimes absurdly high 'service charges'. All to be found in the - renewed on 1 January this year - general visitor conditions.
Internal mail VNPF
But so now there is shit to do. You can ask for concessions from visitors, but you can't force them, as the sector itself realises. So are vouchers the solution? The minister says she will look into this. From an internal e-mail from the Association of Dutch Pop Stages and Festivals (VNPF), which we were shown, the pop sector is now steering clear of refunding anything or promising new dates to customers who want their money back until 1 June, even if it is to deposit it in a pot for ailing session musicians.
With this internal agreement, the sector hopes to act as one block, and be strong when the government comes up with additional measures, such as the voucher mentioned by the minister. It will have to take into account the possibility that things cannot be moved, artists are no longer available, or the visitor simply cannot or does not want to. Anyone who wants to be difficult, and wants to be in their right as a visitor, can therefore kill the entire pop sector with a simple demand to get their money back. That person can then go down in history as 'Krent 0'.
Read the minister's entire press release here:
| The rent of state-subsidised museums will be suspended for three months. This will give them financial leeway at the time of the corona crisis. The measure is part of an additional package for the cultural and creative sector, about which Minister Van Engelshoven (Culture) sent a letter to the House of Representatives today. The corona crisis has major implications for the cultural and creative sectors, now that they too have largely ground to a halt. Besides the previously announced cabinet-wide package for companies and entrepreneurs, which organisations and self-employed people from the cultural sector can also claim, a number of specific measures are therefore being taken. These should ensure that jobs are preserved, institutions do not collapse and help can be provided in case of acute problems.
Together with representatives from the cultural and creative sector, state culture funds, municipalities and provinces, an appropriate package was sought to meet the needs. Minister Van Engelshoven: ''Cultural life has largely come to a standstill. For instance, museums, theatres and monuments have closed their doors, but film producers, architects and photographers are also getting fewer commissions. This is a loss for us, for the public. But also a major blow to the sector. That is why we offer help for acute problems caused by the corona crisis.''
Unambiguous communication from the cabinet has caused unrest in this sector over duration of the measures announced. On Tuesday 31 March, the cabinet will take new decisions on the period after 6 April. This will also provide clarity for the cultural and creative sector.
Rent of state-subsidised museums suspended
To give state-subsidised museums more financial leeway in the short term, it has been agreed with the State Property Agency to give museums that rent their premises from the State Property Agency a three-month rent suspension. This means they can pay their rent at a later date. Municipalities and provinces are also urged to follow this example and examine how they can accommodate institutions in paying rent.
Grants are prepaid and ongoing
Minister Van Engelshoven is also arranging for cultural institutions that fall under the so-called 'basic infrastructure', when desired, to receive subsidy money now that they would normally only receive in the third quarter of this year. By releasing this money earlier, more liquidity will become available for these institutions, enabling them, for instance, to meet their obligations to freelancers and self-employed workers. Municipalities are also looking at dealing with advance payments in this way.
In addition, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science allows its grants to continue. These are not cut if it turns out that intended performance is not achieved because of the coronagraph. The state cultural funds, municipalities and provinces also follow this measure. The same applies to project grants and subsidised activities.
Tickets sold
Currently, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Health, we are looking at how to shape the reimbursement of purchased tickets in the culture and events sector. Specifically, the idea of reimbursement in the form of vouchers is being worked out. Minister Van Engelshoven calls on the public to support the cultural and creative sector by not immediately asking for money back for bought tickets and to show support - for example, by becoming a friend of a film house, a music company or a theatre.
Connection cabinet-wide measures
Cultural institutions can claim schemes from the cabinet-wide package of measures presented last week. These include reduced working hours for employees and employers, extra support for the self-employed and tax measures. The measures announced today complement these, specifically for the cultural sector.
Furthermore, a Tegemoetkoming Ondernemers Getroffen Sectoren (TOGS) is part of the cabinet-wide measures. The Ministry of Economic Affairs will open such a facility at the Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland. The cultural and creative field can use this under certain conditions. Small businesses from the cultural and creative field can apply for €4,000 for damages suffered as a result of the coronavirus. This facility opens on Monday 30 March. |
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