ARTS AND CULTURE: CAN THEY DO WITHOUT SUBSIDY?

For over two years now the Dutch arts and culture sector has been expressing considerable concern for the cutbacks imposed by the former center-right government of Prime Minister Mark Rutte. This concern is being expressed both by the Council for Culture, the legal adviser of the government in the fields of the arts, culture and media, and various cultural institutions. Among these institutions are a wide number of theater, dance and music groups. Moreover, various politicians are expressing their concern as well ('Reacties op bezuinigingen', 2011). According to the 'Fonds Podiumkunsten', at least seventy cultural institutions will loose their subsidy in the next four years. Consequently, various institutions have become uncertain about their continuing existence ('70 culturele instellingen', 2012).
Due to this situation an issue in the arts and culture debate has arisen as to whether arts and culture genuinely need subsidy in order to exist. Various participants in the debate have concern whether cultural institutions' activities can overcome a loss of subsidy. However, recent research by order of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science indicates that the arts and culture sector's concern for its continuing existence is based on a subsidy-dependent behavior that is merely learned. Because of this behavior, cultural institutions would push aside market opportunities to finance their activities in more distinct ways (Kerste et al., 2011). On this view, it seems that the problem is to be found within the act of providing subsidies itself.
Despite research a broadly supported solution is not yet in sight. A reason for this could be that attempts to help solve the issue thus far have often been inextricably linked with one's political view.

Sources:

Reacties op bezuinigingen cultuur. (June 10, 2011). Retrieved September 19, 2012, from: http://www.trouw.nl/tr/nl/4500/Politiek/article/detail//2011/06/10/Reacties-op-bezuinigingen-cultuur.dhtml

70 culturele instellingen verliezen subsidie. (August 1, 2012) Retrieved September 19, 2012, from: http://www.volkskrant.nl/vk/nl/9824/Op-naar-de-verkiezingen/article/detail//2012/08/01/70-culturele-instellingen-verliezen-subsidie.dhtml

Kerste, M., Poort, J., Rosenboom, N., Weda, J. (June, 2011). Cultuur naar vermogen. Retrieved September 19, 2012, from: http://www.seo.nl/pagina/article/cultuur-naar-vermogen/