Netherlands third in world with Coronasteun for arts sector

The United States of America has spent $18 billion (€15 billion) on coronasteun for the arts. That is more than any other country in the world and quite remarkable for a country not famous for arts funding. France is second, with an aid package worth $8.3 billion (€6.9 billion). hefty sums, which the Netherlands' 1.8 billion euros, including the guarantee scheme for festivals introduced this week, seems rather stark in comparison. Germany, for instance, spent 2 billion euros to drag the arts sector through the corona crisis.

US site Artnet comes up with this calculation and they are extraordinary figures anyway, even though the Netherlands is thus not in this overview. We had to calculate that ourselves. Our 1.8 billion is made up of the 2020 aid packages, including the controversial contributions that must run through municipal budgets, so perhaps we should set that 1.8 billion a little lower: 1.5 billion seems a better figure.

Per head

And then something interesting happens when we start looking at how many euros per capita that works out to. The Netherlands then spends €88.24 per capita on support for theatres, museums, cinemas and artists. Then we are not doing too badly on our own, it turns out.  

France is the most generous worldwide, spending €106.21 on the arts in corona time. Canada is a close second with €103.52, but the Netherlands is then suddenly in third place worldwide, with that €88.24. Far above Norway (€82) and all the way above Germany, which until now everyone was so jealous of. Per capita, our eastern neighbours spend only €23.69 on supporting the arts in corona time. 

The whole (converted to euros) overview can be found here:

So we can be glad we don't live in South Africa when it comes to support for the arts in Corona time. France is becoming increasingly attractive, though.