The Association of Theater and Concertgebouw Directors (VSCD) calls on the government to provide extra support for stages because of the high energy costs. In addition to ‘an extra deposit’ in the municipal fund, the VSCD hopes for indexation of the subsidies. A tour of the ANP shows that there are also concerns among the rest of the cultural sector and there is a chance that the higher costs will have to be passed on to customers and visitors.
Many venues are in danger of getting into financial trouble due to rising energy costs and inflation, according to the VSCD, which spoke to 151 venues that are members of the association. Boris van der Ham, chairman of the Dutch Association of Cinemas and Film Theaters (NVBF), agrees with this view. He states that some theaters and cinemas have ‘big problems’ because of the high energy costs, depending on their energy contract. “The margins to make a profit are shrinking. Sometimes there are also debts due to corona. So you notice that cinemas that came out of the corona crisis are more difficult to bounce back.” Still, the bet is not to raise ticket prices, he says. Cinema chain Pathé does not want to respond substantively to the possible consequences of the high energy costs.
Berend Schans, director of the Association of Dutch Poppodia and Festivals (VNPF), states that the uncertainty is also great among parties in the event sector. “We are concerned about it.” The association has recently made an inventory of members’ concerns about energy bills, he explains. ,,It goes up almost 50 percent among members where it plays. There are absurd outliers.” For example, he knows a case in which the costs rise from 400,000 euros on an annual basis to 1.4 million euros. “There is no cover for that. Subsidies are not or hardly indexed.”
Unavoidable
According to concert organizer MOJO, it is ‘unavoidable’ that ticket prices will rise. “For example, international artists travel a lot,” explains a spokesperson. “If those costs go up, that will have to be passed on at some point. If the government wants to meet this, then I’d be happy to.”
Jolanda Jansen, director of Rotterdam Ahoy, states that this is ‘an issue’ for the concert hall. ,,What can we pass on to customers and consumers? It must remain within reason.” 013 Poppodium in Tilburg also thinks so. A spokesperson expresses the concern that because of their high energy bills, people will have to make choices about whether or not they can attend a concert. Will it be available to everyone? Everyone should be able to consume culture.”
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