DutchNews.nl - Arts spending cuts less severe than expected, funding down 10%

Cuts in spending on the arts and culture are likely to be less severe than expected as local councils fail to follow the tough line taken by national government, the Volkskrant reports on Friday.

Next year, the sector will be hit by a 10% decline in income from government sources, ticket sales and sponsorship, the paper says. The figure had been put at 20% by sector analysts.

The paper bases its claim on research carried out together with the Berenschot bureau.

State spending on the arts and culture is being cut by 14% or around €500m, taking total income for theatres, orchestras and other institutions down to €4.75bn.

But while national government has reduced its art and culture budget by 24% to €750m, local council cuts average 9%, the research shows.

The research also shows that while national government subsidy cuts have focused on the visual and performing arts, local authorities have spread the pain equally across all sectors.

Nevertheless, some local councils have taken tougher action than others. Rotterdam, for example, has reduced its arts budget by 20% while Maastricht has sliced just 10% off culture spending.

The full research will be presented in Amsterdam on Sunday at the end of the Uitmarkt, the formal introduction of the new theatre season.

Should government support the arts? Have your say using the comments box below.

Readers' Comments

The arts culture are like any other business and should not be supporsted by the goverment. With the way things are I think that arts and culture are area's where cuts/non suport could be made to ease up on other areas that are more important and necessary for living.

By Dee | 24 August 2012 10:57 AM

So that is why the Handhaving fined me 170 euro's for playing my acoustic guitar outside on a hot summer day in the middle of centrum, where locals play music everyday. they saw money on me. then the police and city hall told me 'music is a problem in Amsterdam', unbelievable that they would think that way, music is never a problem that can't be easily worked out

By Confused Tourist Musician | 25 August 2012 8:19 AM

Anyone who thinks the arts are a "business" knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.

Go ahead and admire the mainstream and well marketed. Just don't complain when you see and hear the same boring thing over and over again because others like you who fund the arts refuse to take risks and push the envelope.

The arts are a necessity for a progressive and dynamic society.

By CW | 26 August 2012 3:04 PM

It is important to keep in mind that a culturally rich city will lead to millions of dollars in revenue from other things. Cutting culture means cutting all the services that go with it. This will cost FAR more than than the money the government will save.
It is a crying shame and the narrow minded government should be ashamed of what they are destroying.

Where are the great leaders and the thinkers of today?
Why is the thinking so small minded?
Why is culture not seen as something of great value?

By Charlotte | 26 August 2012 9:57 PM

An important figure that's always left out of these discussions: Orchestras (for instance) in NL are subsidy-supported to the tune of 85% of their budgets. 85%. And attendance continues to plummet. It's no wonder taxpayers no longer want to foot the bill.

By YoMama | 27 August 2012 9:10 AM