The new government in Flanders announced to radically cut the subsidies for culture. In many domains and especially in the performing arts: Between 3 and 6 percent for the big institutions, and 60 percent of the project subsidies. Artists inside and outside the country oppose this step and fight in solidarity. An online petition counts already more than 60.000 signatures, thousands of protesters went on the street in Brussels and Ghent.
ITI supports the open letter to the Flemish head of government and prime minister, Jan Jambon, published on November 12: “After a decennium of budget- and funding cuts there are significantly less Flemish artists to be found in prestigious European and international festivals, theatres or museums. The proposed funding cuts could deliver them the final blow and render Flanders completely useless within the international field.”
Other sources: The Brussels Times, VRT news, updates from State of the Arts,