Artists protest against dwindling project subsidies

A group of artists held a protest outside the offices of Flemish culture minister Sven Gatz in central Brussels on Monday, calling for a “substantial increase” in project subsidies for culture. Gatz received a delegation representing the protestors, who left with a promise of an extra €1.16 million for the year 2017.

Gatz is responsible for two sets of culture subsidies: structural, which cover day-to-day costs associated with annual budgets, and projects, which cover specific productions or tours, for example.

In July, Gatz (pictured) announced his latest round of decisions on structural subsidies for the coming five years, which did not include a number of previously funded organisations, such as Hasselt concert venue Muziekodroom and the renowned Watou arts festival.

Cultural organisations have until later this month to submit an application for project financing, but the protestors are concerned about the dwindling figures for funding. “There has been a downward trend in the projects subsidised since 2013,” a spokesperson told Bruzz.

“In 2013, there was €8.9 million approved. This year, the amount forecast is €5.9 million across all disciplines. The sum is not at all in line with the growing and blooming arts landscape in Flanders.”

Gatz later said the meeting had been “open and constructive”. “Together with the major arts institutions and the sector as a whole, I want to look at how we can better support up-and-coming artists,” he said.

Photo: Kristof Van Accom/BELGA