[simonleenknegt]

Dear all,

Thanks for sharing your info on this forum. I will give a very short update on Flanders, Belgium. Both the federal and the other governments have taken measures for tackling the impact of the corona crisis. Most of these are generic. Specific measures for arts and culture (which is a competency of the respective Communities – i.e. Flemish, French and German Communities) have not yet been agreed upon (at least for the Flemish Community). The Ministry of Culture is currently consulting different stakeholders in the field of arts and culture and is looking into the possibilities of support and the possibilities of a longer term inquiry into the economical consequences of the crisis for the field of arts and culture.

Meanwhile, an array of different surveys and petitions concerning the (economical) impact on arts and culture is circulating, such as the ‘Reporting Point COVID-19 in Culture’ by artist platform State of the Arts (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeuVt_yaQDtSOLy6mWcJe895bq4XsDiCEBysrQAZXIuCH4e-g/viewform).

Flanders Arts Institute is monitoring the different actions and surveys undertaken and is working out its own actions for research on the (long term) repercussions (economic and otherwise) of the crisis for artists and art organisations in Flanders and Brussels. We have published an article reflecting on the ways the crisis is felt in the field of arts (article in Dutch: https://blog.kunsten.be/kunstenveld-in-lockdown-9481948ce347) and provided some data on cancelled or postponed events (concerts, performances, exhibitions etc.) by Flemish artists in Belgium and abroad. Meanwhile, Belgian magazine Rekto:Verso has published an article gathering statements and testimonies of artists struck financially by the crisis (in English: https://www.rektoverso.be/artikel/the-financial-battlefield-called-corona).

kind regards and hope you are well,

Simon Leenknegt

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