Skip to content

Arts '92: 'Give the public access to museums immediately.'

Arts '92 means business. The umbrella of all umbrella organisations in the arts sector, which kept on poldering when everyone had long since gone into business for themselves, is angry. And rightly so. Enough has happened this week to break down the last shred of trust between the art world and the government. To the point where there was even note-worthy argument over whether the opening up of sex work and the continued closure of art institutions was an evil move by Rutte to play off the prostitution sector against the art sector. Enfin. Countless friendships have ended, people unfollowed and cancelled because of it. The fact remains that Rutte and his men are too busy with a new culture of governance to care about real culture.

Time for action, then, although we at Kunsten '92 must always keep a nuanced view of this. One states:

  • Give the public immediate access to all flow-through sites, such as museums, monuments and presentation institutions. Like last year, they can open proven safe with existing protocols.
  • Give audiences access to all stages and screening areas, with the crystal-clear premise: the basis of the maximum number of visitors per building, and within that for each room individually, is the appropriate 1.5m protocol (instead of 30 people).
  • Follow the principles established following the Fieldlab studies: minimum 50% room capacity, release 1.5 metres and sufficient free test capacity.

2.8 billion

And not only that. In fact, it has been calculated that the arts sector is losing EUR 2.7 billion in public revenues alone, and that is for this year. Add to that a mere 800 million for the autumn, when things are allowed to open up again.

In all this, it is a pity that her press release, couched in unprecedented firm language, is missing one important item, and that is an ultimatum. This appeal to the cabinet would have been so much better if it had read 'or else...'. Problem is, of course, that the arts sector has no 'or else'.

Although: they could of course just open with all of them. With all protocols in place, with tests if necessary. And then see if the government sends the ME down on the Mauritshuis. Or at the Concertgebouw.

Wijbrand Schaap

Cultural journalist since 1996. Worked as theatre critic, columnist and reporter for Algemeen Dagblad, Utrechts Nieuwsblad, Rotterdams Dagblad, Parool and regional newspapers through Associated Press Services. Interviews for TheaterMaker, Theatererkrant Magazine, Ons Erfdeel, Boekman. Podcast maker, likes to experiment with new media. Culture Press is called the brainchild I gave birth to in 2009. Life partner of Suzanne Brink roommate of Edje, Fonzie and Rufus. Search and find me on Mastodon.View Author posts

Small Membership
175€ / 12 Months
Especially for organisations with a turnover or grant of less than 250,000 per year.
No annoying banners
A premium newsletter
5 trial newsletter subscriptions
All our podcasts
Have your say on our policies
Insight into finances
Exclusive archives
Posting press releases yourself
Own mastodon account on our instance
Cultural Membership
360€ / Year
For cultural organisations
No annoying banners
A premium newsletter
10 trial newsletter subscriptions
All our podcasts
Participate
Insight into finances
Exclusive archives
Posting press releases yourself
Own mastodon account on our instance
Collaboration
Private Membership
50€ / Year
For natural persons and self-employed persons.
No annoying banners
A premium newsletter
All our podcasts
Have your say on our policies
Insight into finances
Exclusive archives
Own mastodon account on our instance
en_GBEnglish (UK)