Dutch Festivals Form New Trade Association

(CelebrityAccess) — More than thirty Dutch festivals have joined forces to form De Verenigde Podiumkunstenfestivals (United Performing Arts Festivals), a new industry association.


According to the TheaterKrant, the organization will seek to draw more attention to the political climate for events in the Netherlands, as well as lobbying for an increase in the festival budget for the Performing Arts Fund (FPK) of 2.5 million euros for this year.


United Arts Festivals represents nearly 35 performing arts festivals festivals from across the spectrum in the Netherlands. Participating events Holland Festival (Amsterdam), Eurosonic Noorderslag (Groningen), Oerolfestival (Terschelling), SPRING Performing Arts Festival (Utrecht), Theatre Festival Boulevard ( 's-Hertogenbosch), Motel Mozaïque (Rotterdam), Noorderzon Performing Arts Festival (Groningen) , Incubate Festival (Tilburg), Early Music Festival (Utrecht), Music Meeting (Nijmegen), Julidans (Amsterdam) and Opera Days (Rotterdam).


Coordinator Mark Hospers told TheaterKrant that this was a pilot year for the organization.


"But there is still a lot to happen, even in the lobby for the next four years," said coordinator Mark Hospers. "The position of festivals is remains fragile, the financing is inadequate and sometimes there is little understanding of the importance of festivals for the local, national and international infrastructure."