Necessity and connectedness
A sense of need and connection is becoming more visible in the arts sector. In recent months, there have been several examples of joint advocacy. From a sense of need to speak up for the arts, artists and institutions made themselves heard. And they were heard! For example, there was the Paradiso Debate, where visual artist Barbara Visser - a member of the Academy of Arts - gave a much-discussed lecture that expressed energy and optimism, but above all a sense of the need to stand up for the arts together.
In a collective effort from the performing and visual arts, a stand was made for the interests of the arts and artists by sending the open letter Talent development in the performing arts can be better - about concerns regarding talent development - to Minister Bussemaker. This letter was signed by many institutions, organizations and individuals in the field. Platform BK also wrote a letter to the minister - also as a joint effort - in which concerns about the plans for talent development were expressed. All these efforts did not fall on deaf ears. You can read about their ultimate effects in this BK Information.
Another joint effort is currently being undertaken by Beeldende Kunst Nederland (BKNL), an informal consultation of organizations that stand up for the interests of visual artists, museums, presentation institutions and galleries in the Netherlands. They are commissioning research into the practice of artists' fees in the Netherlands. This is an urgent issue in the arts that affects both commissioners and artists. The research is currently being conducted; as soon as the results are made public, BK-informatie will naturally report on them.
Apparently, the sense of necessity is currently so high that connectedness is growing and more and more parties are joining forces to collectively support the interests of the arts and artists. BK Information is also committed to doing just that. In the first issue - published on November 1, 1979 - we wrote: "The contents of the bulletin will consist of information relevant to the professional practice of the visual artist." With this in mind, we continue to report today on current issues, developments, events, facts and regulations in the art sector. Always from a sense of necessity and connection: because those who are well informed stand stronger in their shoes and are not blown over.
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