Relief and disbelief: cuts to amateur arts funding have been scaled back, but Muziekmozaïek loses all its operating grants
On 3 July, the Flemish Government reached a decision on the operating grants for the nine Flemish amateur arts organisations for the period 2027–2031. It was a tense moment, given that Minister Caroline Gennez had announced a 10.5 per cent cut earlier this year, on top of a previous 3 per cent cut in 2026. Thanks to 11,462 signatures and 5,706 expressions of support for the open letter launched by the sector, this cut was reduced to 5.8 per cent. The fact that the voices of thousands of practitioners, associations and other stakeholders were heard sends an important signal.
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.
Let us create
The announced cuts to the amateur arts sector sparked a flood of reactions. The open letter ‘No cuts to our passion for the arts’ was signed by more than 11,000 practitioners, partners and professional artists in no time at all. Behind the scenes, amateur arts organisations also engaged in intensive discussions with Minister Gennez and other relevant policymakers to highlight the impact of the cuts and underline the value of their work.
That commitment helped make the difference. The cuts of 10.5 per cent originally announced were 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!
Moderate cutbacks, 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 passionate team at Muziekmozaïek, who, despite this bitter blow, have responded resolutely in an initial statement: “Our work is not finished. Over the coming months, we will continue to work with the same passion and love for folk and jazz. In the meantime, we are looking to the future.”
The future is what all organisations are focusing on right now, including Danspunt. With adapted resources, but just as much passion for the arts!