A creative city
A flourishing art and culture sector is indispensable for a properly functioning democracy. Culture is one of the few areas where thinking in terms of profit or loss does not yet determine everything. It enables us to invent other ways of living together. That is why Amsterdam BIJ1 is advocating for a broad cultural program that is truly accessible to everyone.
We owe the unique character of Amsterdam to what once started in cultural sanctuaries, squats and along other so-called fringes. As long as the city is unaffordable for artists and free spaces are under pressure from profit interests, we will be fighting a losing battle. A healthy cultural climate can therefore only exist if the municipality abandons its gentrification policy. According to Amsterdam BIJ1, small and non-commercial initiatives must be given priority when it comes to distributing municipal money and the right to exist of incubators and free zones is never up for discussion.
This is how we work on a cultural Amsterdam for and by everyone:
- Planned cuts to cultural breeding grounds for 2022 will not be implemented and the current number of square metres for cultural breeding grounds will remain the same in the coming year.
- More money for art and culture, and less money for attracting multinationals and city marketing.
- The distribution of subsidies must be accessible and understandable for everyone.
- Small cultural institutions and initiatives outside the city centre will be given priority in the distribution of municipal subsidies.
- Subsidies will only be given to organisations that demonstrably comply with the Diversity & Inclusion Code and the Fair Practice Code.
- Larger cultural institutions may only receive subsidies if they apply a minimum wage of €14 per hour and do not structurally use flexible contracts.
- Amsterdam is committed to preserving studios and other spaces for artists, performers and small cultural institutions.
- There will be communal working and meeting spaces at the neighbourhood level where local residents can work together on cultural initiatives.
- From 2023 onwards, extra money will be made available for a new breeding ground policy.
- Existing sanctuaries, such as Ruigoord, will be recognised, maintained and financially supported. New sanctuaries will be stimulated.
- Temporary vacant municipal buildings will only be used for cultural and social initiatives and not by parties who are out to make a profit.
- Museums in the city will be free for all Amsterdam residents.
- The municipality will ensure that local cultural and media institutions pay more attention to Dutch colonial history and the history of slavery.
- The contribution of makers of colour to the cultural history of Amsterdam must be recognised.
- The municipality will actively work to return all looted art that is in the municipality.