The chairwoman of the arts council Els Swaab has resigned in protest at government plans to reduce spending on the arts and culture by an average 25%.

The council’s performing arts board has also resigned following the cabinet’s decision to cut spending on theatre, dance and opera by 30%.
Junior arts minister Halbe Zijlstra said last month he would not follow arts council advice to phase in the cuts. He insists national institutions will not be affected by the cuts and that the government has made clear choices about which areas to support.
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