Alexander Plooij argues for a different approach to lobbying the cultural sector: 'The artistic should be central, not creativity.'

'When the economic interests of involved parties outweigh the interests of the cultural sector you end up getting movements like the ones we see now in Brabant. Art makes itself look more important than it is, and that sets off bad blood.' We have a conversation with Alexander Plooij, an entrepreneur and once active in the cultural sector as a professional trumpet player, manager of music schools and member of the culture committee of the VVD parliamentary parties, during Halbe Zijlstra's time.

'A lot of discussions between the arts sector and politics were based on sentiment, and not on facts and figures,' he explains. 'Even ten years ago, the art sector's lobbyists did not want to think along with politicians.' Plooij was also a city councillor in Hilversum when a successful attempt was made from there to save the Metropole Orchestra.

Inspiration

As director of the music school in Veenendaal, he had previously learned a lot about the vision of cultural education as experienced in the Christian countryside. He saw local politicians thinking in numbers and measurable results, while pupils played his notes neatly within the lines. 'There was no inspiration in it, it was just about technique. Later, at the music school in Hilversum, I did hear that inspiration. So it can be done.'

As an arts educator at heart, this ultimately gave him a deeper insight into what is lacking in the lobby. In the podcast, for the more visually inclined also available at youtube, he tells how he came to realise that the people now in the Hague are trying to influence politicians, betting on the wrong horse: 'People bet on the importance of creativity for society, but politicians do not find this a convincing argument, because creativity is precisely everywhere. It is better to focus on artistry: it is extremely rare, and is precisely at the cradle of creativity. You cannot have a creative society without the artistry that a few talented people have to offer. Without that artistry, society is unable to renew itself, let alone develop creativity. That story does convince politicians.'

Listen to his entire speech, and let your mind wander. After which you can think of something new yourself to share here.