Most arts institutions have been able to keep their heads above water despite massive cuts in government subsidies, Trouw reports on Friday.

The claim is made in a culture ministry report drawn up on behalf of arts minister Jet Bussemaker.

The cuts of €325m in national and local government funding led to 41 arts and cultural institutions closing down, the report shows. However, many of the survivors have found alternative sources of funding and 69 are continuing to operate without any subsidies.

Performances

Nevertheless, the fact that so many institutions still exist means little, Trouw says.

‘There are some theatre groups which used to put on four new shows a year but are now putting on the odd performance of an old favourite,’ the paper says.

In addition, many cultural organisations are spending considerable amounts of time on trying to find subsidies, the paper says. And the report does not state if there has been a reduction in the amount of cultural events being produced by the sector.