“We are blown away. We received a positive assessment from the AFK, but our application is not accepted because there is insufficient budget ‘. This writes down the organization of the Amsterdam Forest Theater Instagram. For this reason, the organization is investigating whether they can continue with the summer performances at all.
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On Monday, the subsidy fund of the Amsterdam Fund for the Arts (AFK) was distributed and the Forest Theater, like, for example, the Kleine Komedie, missed out.
Despite the fact that no money goes to the Forest Theater, the AFK is full of praise: ‘After the advice for the previous Arts Plan period, the Forest Theater has commended itself in a commendable manner from a producing to a presenting and co-producing institution. The last summer productions have been a success with both the public and the press. ‘
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And that’s where the shoe pinches, the Forest Theater writes: ‘We decided more than three months ago to open this season from 1 July because we saw possibilities as an open-air theater while so much was not possible due to Corona. We still saw opportunities, developments and collaborations ahead, so we are also surprised at the decision. ”
Small Comedy
The AFK says it has a shortage of EUR 6.6 million to give all institutions that received a good assessment a four-year subsidy. The favorite museum of our former mayor Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder also has a hard time. The museum goes from six hundred thousand to zero euros a year.
The De Kleine Komedie doesn’t get a cent anymore either. “I am not quick to speak up, but I am now,” says director Vivienne Ypma. She has shed a lot of tears from the news. “If we don’t get a subsidy, we have to close.”
There is still hope for De Kleine Komedie. Eleven institutions may receive an additional budget, but that is still uncertain. The Forest Theater is now investigating the possibilities of continuing as a theater with the summer performances, Boslab Theater Festival, youth programming and other projects.
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