New support package for cultural sector

Dutch minister Ingrid van Engelshoven sent a letter to the House of Representatives on Monday. In it, she announces a second support package of 482 million euros for the cultural and creative sector. That money is to be deployed in the first half of 2021 and is intended to keep creators and artists working.

Earlier this year, the minister already put together a package worth three hundred million euros. That money was primarily intended to keep cultural institutions afloat. With the second support package, the minister wants to ensure that “beautiful exhibitions, films, and performances” can be produced “that everyone can enjoy.”

Minister Van Engelshoven: “Unfortunately, we do not yet have the coronavirus under control. The corona crisis is lasting a very long time for cultural and creative institutions as well. And unfortunately, this was compounded by the disappointment of having to temporarily close the doors again. Especially during this time of crisis, the cultural and creative sector is indispensable. A sector that makes life more beautiful, connects and surprises people, and provides employment and income to a great many people. The second support package is intended to help creators such as directors, scriptwriters, actors, technicians, theater makers, and artists get to work as much as possible and keep them there. So that a strong and proud cultural and creative sector remains in the Netherlands even after the crisis.”

Distribution of funds

In the letter to Parliament, Van Engelshoven also clarifies how the money will be used. For instance, 200 million euros have been reserved for the extension of the support measures from the first support package. Of this, approximately 49.75 million euros would go to artists and creative professionals.

An additional 10 million euros is being allocated to the NPO so that they can create extra broadcasting time for the cultural sector. Media composer Stephan Emmer called on the NPO at the end of October to do more for the cultural sector. With the extra financial boost from The Hague, it seems the NPO will have more room to do so in the coming year. The minister calls the NPO ‘the largest stage in the Netherlands’. How the broadcasting time will be allocated has yet to be determined.

Independent theater producers can now also count on support. They can expect a sum of forty million euros. With this amount, they can partially compensate for the costs they incurred for canceled performances and concerts. However, they would have to invest in new productions for the 2021-2022 cultural season. The Performing Arts Fund will take care of the distribution of the money. 150 million euros to municipalities

A substantial portion of the support package, 150 million euros, is being distributed among Dutch municipalities to support local cultural institutions. This amount is in addition to the 68 million euros that municipalities already received at the end of August to keep libraries, music schools, and art house cinemas afloat.

In addition to the support package, the sector can also continue to rely on general support measures such as the NOW scheme.

[Entertainment Business - Editors - November 17, 2020]