{"id":100960,"date":"2026-03-17T12:22:59","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T11:22:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/?p=100960"},"modified":"2026-03-17T12:39:02","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T11:39:02","slug":"geen-62-procent-maar-186-producent-meldt-druk-op-artistieke-vrijheid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/2026\/03\/geen-62-procent-maar-186-producent-meldt-druk-op-artistieke-vrijheid\/","title":{"rendered":"Not \u201962 per cent\u2019 but \u201818.6 producer\u2019 reports pressure on artistic freedom"},"content":{"rendered":"

He did not recognise himself in it at all, Cees Debets told his Royal Theatre on Monday 16 March. The Het Nationale Theater director was referring to the number of 62% of subsidised performing arts makers<\/strong> who, according to professional body NAPK, \u2018experienced pressure or (even) censorship when making art\u2019. The NAPK management responded surprisingly: it was not 62% of all<\/em> performing arts producers who experienced that pressure or (self-)censorship. They were 62% of the 30 respondents<\/em> <\/strong>on a survey the professional umbrella had conducted among all its 200 members, most of whom receive some form of subsidy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So it is press release<\/a> which we too posted (unabridged, as NAPK is a member), is incorrect. The suggestion made by that post, that there were as many as 124 performing arts producers (62% out of 200 members) who experienced pressure or (self-)censorship, is factually incorrect. It is only 18.6 performing arts producers, who bothered to complete the survey. So, leaving aside the question of who those 0.6 performing arts producers are, we can add considerable nuance to the emergency situation in the performing arts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Terror<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Of course, there are occasional hassles. The Culture Council has investigated this extremely well, and had to find that there are mainly problems at venues, where stand-up comedians<\/em> are boycotted, punk bands rejected, managements threatened and fuss generated, thanks in part to an anger-fuelled talk show culture. World conflicts like Ukraine and Gaza plus Iran and Israel+US: all too often these are also fought out here via media and stages. Indeed, this sometimes leads to oppressive situations, and even terror.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul Knieriem of the Amsterdam youth theatre group De Toneelmakerij therefore also decided to keep a performance centring on a friendship between a Jewish and Islamic boy out of the press. Remarkable, of course, because this is not self-censorship but active censorship. The fear of escalation due to media attention should never lead to \u2018keeping out of the press\u2019 art made with public money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No news?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So at the afternoon organised by NAPK in the Royal Theatre, there was plenty to talk about. But unfortunately so also a lot of noise about something that is also made bigger than it is by the sector itself. The fact that subsidised youth theatre regularly runs up against boundaries is also not from today. Back in 2002, I wrote a piece about it in the Utrechts Nieuwsblad, entitled: The Disaster of CKV<\/a>. After all, subsidised youth theatre has the task of pushing some boundaries here and there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is new is the hardening and polarisation of society, especially \u2018since Corona\u2019. Social media offer people with an opinion a much more direct platform than the parents' evening or letter to the editor of the previous years. That global political players such as Russia and the US have also been actively contributing to polarisation via troll armies since the 10s of this century adds to the problem. Polarisation professor Hans Boutelier gave an engaging talk on this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

East Germany<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The question remains as to what to do with the \u2018toolkit for makers\u2019 that NAPK presented this afternoon. It contains tips and tools that are partly an extension of the much more extensive manual that the umbrella organisation Kunsten \u201992 published over a month ago. Bit double, then, but there is, on closer reading, still something wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The toolkit is an adaptation of a German original. NAPK was recently visiting the former GDR, a region where the irresistible rise of the far-right is causing huge problems. I can relate, having spent a few festivals in the same time in Weimar<\/em><\/a>, and saw how creators and producers had to walk on eggshells there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deadly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is also because in Germany, the relationship between politics and art is completely different from here. Subsidy relationships are much more intimate, and political appointments to top cultural posts standard. People who complain here about an abundance of tick boxes and codes should go and talk to artists in Thuringia for fun. That the AfD has dug deep into the art world is terrifying. On the other hand: anyone who dares to criticise Istrael can shake their gig or job too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All issues that are not remotely relevant here, although the Trumpian front in the Dutch parliament would like nothing better than that. We could all see that on 19 January: Culture legislative consultation was useful stage for Trumpist House factions<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outside the press?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So for now, a little self-censorship in the subsidised performing arts is not the biggest problem. The checks and balances<\/em> offered by our rule of law are just a little more robust than those across the Atlantic. But \u2018Thorbecke\u2019 is no longer sacred and the rule of law can only survive if all concerned continue to believe in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So the question is whether juggling figures, pimped-out percentages and phrases like \u2018more and more\u2019 will help things move forward. The question is even more whether things should be kept \u2018out of the press\u2019. Above all, let's not start demolishing democracy itself. <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hij herkende zich er totaal niet in, vertelde Cees Debets maandag 16 maart in zijn Koninklijke Schouwburg. De directeur van het Het Nationale Theater doelde op het getal van 62% van de gesubsidieerde podiumkunstmakers dat volgens beroepsorganisatie NAPK ‘Druk of (zelfs)censuur ervoer bij het maken van kunst’. De directie van NAPK reageerde verrassend: het waren […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"activitypub_content_warning":"","activitypub_content_visibility":"","activitypub_max_image_attachments":3,"activitypub_interaction_policy_quote":"anyone","activitypub_status":"federated","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[15614,16518,8843,11687],"tags":[927,3904,10003,16531,16502],"class_list":["post-100960","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-beleid","category-featured","category-podiumkunst","category-donatie-gevraagd","tag-censuur","tag-napk","tag-nationale-theater","tag-polarisatie","tag-veiligheid"],"views":3863,"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":100881,"url":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/2026\/03\/van-de-gesubsidieerde-podiumkunstproducenten-leden-van-de-napk-ervaart-62-drukof-zelfcensuur-bij-het-ontwikkelen-van-nieuwe-producties\/","url_meta":{"origin":100960,"position":0},"title":"Of subsidised performing arts producers (members of NAPK), 62% experience pressure or (self)censorship when developing new productions.","author":"een van onze leden","date":"11 March 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Amsterdam, 11 March 2026 - A recent survey of its members shows that 62% of subsidised performing arts producers in the Netherlands experience pressure or (self-)censorship in determining the theme, form or content of their performances. This covers a broad spectrum of disciplines, including theatre, dance, music (theatre) and performing arts festivals.","rel":"","context":"In "beleid"","block_context":{"text":"beleid","link":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/genre\/beleid\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":96714,"url":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/2025\/03\/samenwerking-napk-en-vpf\/","url_meta":{"origin":100960,"position":1},"title":"Cooperation between NAPK and VPF","author":"een van onze leden","date":"6 March 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"From 1 March 2025, the Nederlandse Associatie voor Podiumkunsten (NAPK) and the Verenigde Podiumkunsten Festivals (VPF) will work together in the new Platform Festivals. The Platform Festivals will become part of the NAPK. The collaboration between NAPK and VPF strengthens advocacy for both producers and performing arts festivals and provides access to a...","rel":"","context":"In "beleid"","block_context":{"text":"beleid","link":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/genre\/beleid\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"logo Nederladse associatie voor Podiumkunsten","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/napk.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/napk.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/napk.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/napk.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":95158,"url":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/2024\/09\/napk-lanceert-duurzaamheid-award-voor-de-podiumkunsten\/","url_meta":{"origin":100960,"position":2},"title":"NAPK launches sustainability award for the performing arts","author":"een van onze leden","date":"5 September 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Amsterdam, 5 September 2024 - The Dutch Association for the Performing Arts (NAPK) launched a new award during the Dutch Theatre Festival 2024. This award is intended for a person, body or group that the jury believes has made a substantial contribution to making the Dutch performing arts (ecologically) sustainable. Purpose...","rel":"","context":"In "ACTUEEL"","block_context":{"text":"ACTUEEL","link":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/genre\/nieuws\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/napkduurzaamheid.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/napkduurzaamheid.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/napkduurzaamheid.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":99475,"url":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/2025\/11\/bureau-vergezicht-wint-eerste-napk-duurzaamheid-award\/","url_meta":{"origin":100960,"position":3},"title":"Bureau Vergezicht wins first NAPK Sustainability Award","author":"een van onze leden","date":"5 November 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Het theatergezelschap Bureau Vergezicht is de winnaar van de allereerste NAPK Duurzaamheid Award (2025). De prijs werd in het leven geroepen door de NAPK (Nederlandse Associatie voor Podiumkunsten) om duurzame initiatieven binnen de podiumkunstensector te erkennen en stimuleren. De feestelijke uitreiking vond woensdag 5 november plaats tijdens het Warming Up\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "ACTUEEL"","block_context":{"text":"ACTUEEL","link":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/genre\/nieuws\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/napkduurzaamheid.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/napkduurzaamheid.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/napkduurzaamheid.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":94689,"url":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/2024\/07\/napk-lanceert-campagne-laathetdoeknietvallen\/","url_meta":{"origin":100960,"position":4},"title":"NAPK launches campaign 1TP5Don't drop the cloth","author":"een van onze leden","date":"4 July 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Amsterdam, 4 July 2024 - Yesterday, the decisions and opinions of the Performing Arts Fund, Fund for Cultural Participation and the Council for Culture were announced. Besides a huge budget over-demand, we see major shifts in terms of new inflows and disciplines. This affects more than 50 companies associated with...","rel":"","context":"In "beleid"","block_context":{"text":"beleid","link":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/genre\/beleid\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"logo Nederladse associatie voor Podiumkunsten","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/napk.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/napk.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/napk.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/napk.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":95930,"url":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/2024\/12\/modelcontract-theaterteksten-vernieuwd\/","url_meta":{"origin":100960,"position":5},"title":"Model theatre contract renewed","author":"Wijbrand Schaap","date":"17 December 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"The Nederlandse Associatie voor Podiumkunsten (NAPK) and the Authors' Union have agreed on adjustments to the Model Contract for writing a theatre text. The director of the NAPK and board members of the Auteursbond have just signed the new contract. The new version of the contract incorporates recent developments...","rel":"","context":"In "ACTUEEL"","block_context":{"text":"ACTUEEL","link":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/genre\/nieuws\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/2024-12-16-ondertekening-auteursbond--scaled.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/2024-12-16-ondertekening-auteursbond--scaled.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/2024-12-16-ondertekening-auteursbond--scaled.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/2024-12-16-ondertekening-auteursbond--scaled.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/2024-12-16-ondertekening-auteursbond--scaled.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/2024-12-16-ondertekening-auteursbond--scaled.jpeg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3yKke-qgo","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100960","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=100960"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100960\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":100961,"href":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100960\/revisions\/100961"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=100960"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=100960"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=100960"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}