The KunstZ organization takes advantage of subsidies: “This could mean our death sentence” (Antwerp)
The Antwerp art organization KunstZ receives its subsidies. And that is particularly bad for the multicultural news creation platform, where they are totally reacting to the decision of the Flemish government. “If nothing happens, this could one day herald the end of our operation.”
KunstZ is an artistic platform that offers space for ethnic-culturally diverse talent to develop in the performing arts. “It already started when we received negative advice from the assessment committees. I was shocked but thought they misinterpreted some things. In the reply we indicated and rectified legal problems. I thought they would turn things around, but nothing turned out to be less true,” says Greet Vissers, artistic director of KunstZ.
The government gives two reasons why the organization does not use the subsidies. “On the one hand, we are not in order from a business perspective, initially we are too local in their eyes. However, we cover the entire city, just like the organizations shown do the same in Brussels and Ghent.”
According to Vissers, the disappearance of subsidies could mean the end for KunstZ. “This is an outright drama. We are not viable without that financial support. But we won’t stop there. We are going to investigate what we can do about this, because something has gone wrong. On top of that, the will is completely lacking.”
“We will want to take this matter to the Council of State, but first we need to know how and what we need to know how and what We will also appeal to the city for support, because we want to play a very important role for ethnically and culturally diverse talent with artistic ambitions. If that fails, our last lifeline may be lost.”(lava)