2.6 billion euros. It is a sum so large that it means nothing to anyone. It is less than the tax support KLM gets, though. Today Kunsten 92, the arts-wide lobbying organisation, in an unprecedented collaboration with all interest groups and industry associations, brought out that that 2.6 billion is the damage to the arts sector caused by the restrictive measures due to the corona pandemic.
So let us say that the damage is a lot of hugely unimaginable. Organisations are going to fall over, and if we are not careful, there will also be nothing at all to present if ever a vaccine fills up the theatres again. After all: no commissions can be granted to ensembles, artists, theatre companies, and orchestras. Those will look for other work. It already happened in 2009 and beyond in my own sector: journalism. It will now happen in the arts. The chain, which Minister Ingrid van Engelshoven was already concerned about, is going to collapse. We'll get a lot of artistically minded parcel deliverers and boas in return, though.
Investment fund
The letter from the lobby calls for many measures, including extending the support provided by the Cabinet until 1 July, through wage subsidies, benefits and other compensations worth 300 million. Another 240 million also needs to be added - on top of the 60 million the Ministry of the Interior earlier provided to the culture of municipalities - in order to be able to keep some of the complicated rent situation afloat (many arts organisations receive subsidies from the municipality to pay rent to the municipality).
Furthermore, an investment fund is needed, and the leniency for subsidised institutions should be maintained until there is a vaccine and the world can go back to the old normal (If ever). Subsidised institutions will then not have to adhere to performance agreements such as audience reach and numbers of productions. All that support does come with a requirement: no money should go to institutions that do not adhere to the fair practice code keep. Other not entirely pure states. That's going to be quite a puzzle.
Hepa filters not required
Meanwhile, holiday-loving Netherlands is again taking to the skies en masse, without adhering to any distance rule. The RIVM is taking quite a risk by following the price-fighting airlines' tales of miracle air conditioners and miraculous HEPA filters. The air in a state of the art theatre is cleaner. That is proven by this letter that TivoliVredenburg business director Suzanne van Dommelen-Bruins sent to RIVM last week, which became public via Facebook:
What good news for aviation! No maximum and no 1.5 m. We want that too because we and all culture, pop and event colleagues in the country can't manage like this much longer. So would you please also come and assess our ventilation system very quickly? You are right around the corner from us. And it is true what the aviation experts say, that their system works differently from ours. Our system is better because we do NOT recirculate. In our halls, only fresh air is always drawn in and taken out from outside, very frequently. That is also why we do not need HEPA filters, which is only for air reuse. But if it helps to get rid of those 30 and 100 people and 1.5 metres, we'll put in a couple of HEPA filters in no time, mind you.
Furthermore, we already ask our visitors at various times if they are not sick, if they come with their own transport to relieve public transport, if they want to disinfect their hands, if they want to follow our one-way routes, and we often clean everything touched.
Together with our ventilation system, the risk of contamination should also be very low at our place.
There are now many different yardsticks.
Dear RIVM, will you also come to our rescue with a wise study?
On Monday, the House of Representatives will have the preliminary last word on this. After that, it will be summer and all summer festivals will gloat because there is nothing more they can do, in the only period they could make money. This compounded by half-hearted action by minister Van Engelshoven and the Council for Culture. We previously reported on The implications this has for two festivals. The rest of the summer festivals join the criticism. Their letter can be found below.
4 million for performing arts festivals solves bottlenecks
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