Grace
For quite some time now there has been unrest in the world of the arts. This has also been the case in recent weeks, for example around the hearing of the Parliamentary Commission of Education, Culture and Science (June 17), where more than 30 representatives from the arts were given speaking time. Letters were also written in recent weeks, there was plenty of activity on the social media and letters were published in newspapers and on blogs. A tentative conclusion? Still artists must defend themselves for the profession they practice. Art-making is still seen as something eccentric, a hobby that has gotten out of hand (the very successful artists are an exception).
The image damage that affected the arts and artists in recent years appears to be unimaginable. The effects of the budget cuts that have hit the sector in recent years seem almost irreparable.
Fortunately, current Minister of OCW Jet Bussemaker is doing her best to make up for some of this. The tone of her starting point letter was widely praised. And yes, after so much negativity, it is of course fantastic to have a culture minister at the helm who sincerely appreciates art and culture, who perhaps deep in her heart would like to undo those 200 million euro cuts, but of course cannot do so politically. The sector will have to make do with a silver lining: 18.6 million euros and the occasional positive pledge with no financial consequences.
Impressive were the speeches that passed during the hearing. The concept of the "slow-burn effect" made its appearance (Arno van Roosmalen), it was explained that the audience of artists is the same audience as that of politicians (Adelheid Roosen) and in a flaming argument it was told that only a positive tone and the more or less continued support of earlier policy undermine the sector (Marc van Warmerdam). Through all the elegant stories sounded the cry of distress: "We are nearing exhaustion!"
Nevertheless, the sector continues to fight for its existence and for recognition, based on a belief that the mere existence of art makes the world a better, more bearable and beautiful place. A noble and necessary fight that exhausts the sector further and further. Until soon institutions and artists lie paralyzed on the sidelines, or have left with their talent to go abroad.
Artists know how to make something out of nothing under the most extreme circumstances. That creative ability gives the sector its resilience, for which it is frequently praised - and which the VVD sees as proof that the cuts have had a positive effect. Because the "core business" of the arts sector is creating, that is what artists continue to do, always, under all circumstances. As a result, it is almost inherent in the sector that it fights to the death to survive.
Meanwhile, it gets compliments for the grace of its agony.
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