Relief and disbelief: cuts to amateur arts funding have been scaled back, but Muziekmozaïek loses all its grants
Nevertheless, the relief is overshadowed by disbelief: from 2027, Muziekmozaïek will lose all its Flemish operating grants. This means the disappearance of one of the nine recognised amateur arts organisations. This is a severe blow, not only for the organisation itself, but for the entire folk and jazz community in Flanders. The amateur arts sector has therefore reacted with shock to the news.
Open letter
The announced cuts to the amateur arts sector triggered a flood of reactions. The open letter ‘No cuts to passion for the arts’ was signed by more than 11,000 practitioners, partners and professional artists in no time at all. Behind the scenes, the amateur arts organisations also engaged in intensive discussions with Minister Gennez and other relevant policymakers to highlight the impact of the cuts.
That commitment helped make the difference. The 10.5 per cent cut originally announced was ultimately reduced to 5.8 per cent. To everyone who signed the open letter, left a comment or shared our appeal: thank you for making your voices heard!
Limited cuts, severe consequences
Although the cut is less severe than initially announced, this 5.8 per cent reduction remains a blow to the amateur arts sector. Amateur arts organisations are exploring how they can continue their work with the revised funding.
However, the harshest blow has been dealt to Muziekmozaïek, which will no longer receive Flemish operating grants from 2027 onwards. This decision has come as a bolt from the blue and represents a loss for the entire sector. More than 25 years of expertise, support and an extensive network for folk and jazz are now at risk of being lost.
Muziekmozaïek is known, amongst other things, for the Gooikoorts festival and its programme at the Luisterplein during the Gentse Feesten, but it does much more besides. The organisation connects musicians, volunteers and organisers throughout Flanders. For 25 years, it has been building a broad community that today relies on more than 450 enthusiastic volunteers. Together, they run numerous initiatives, such as folk music workshops, Ethno Flanders and the B-Jazz International Contest.
Our support goes out to the dedicated team at Muziekmozaïek, who, despite this bitter setback, have responded resolutely in an initial statement: ‘Our work is not finished. Over the coming months, we will continue to work with the same dedication and love for folk and jazz. In the meantime, we are looking to the future.’
The future is what all organisations are now focusing on. With adapted resources, but just as much passion for the arts.