The Museum of Paper Knipkunst in Westerbork fears for its survival. Because the municipality of Midden-Drenthe has to cut back considerably, the museum will miss the subsidy from next year. Although the subsidy is less than six thousand euros per year, that is enough to turn the museum over the long term. This also means that the intangible heritage threatens to crumble.
The news in Westerbork was not well received. “It was a slap in the face,” says board member Geert Woldman. “We are the only museum in the Netherlands that Papierknipkunst permanently exhibits,” says Sietse Brugge of the board. He has been involved with the museum for twenty years. “It would be very dear to me if this is lost. I would really find that terrible.”
Museum of Paper Knipkunst is a small museum on Van Weezelplein in Westerbork and is run by volunteers. Once a month the Knipkring comes together to make new things and practice for the demonstrations in the museum. Today is all about Easter and the volunteers are busy making decorations.
The intangible heritage lies precisely in making new works. “Cut art as an art form is on the list of intangible heritage in the Netherlands,” explains Brugge. “I think we are one of the few parties that are actively involved in this along the association of paper cutting art. When we are open, there is a lady at the table who gives demonstrations there and also lets visitors cut. That is very promoting for art. Everyone goes home with something.”
Two weeks ago the announcement came to the board that the subsidy will probably be stopped next year. The reason: because the municipality of Midden-Drenthe receives too little money from the government to perform its duties, there must be substantial cuts. 2026 is also called the ‘Ravine year’ in municipal land. “We can’t help but cut back, that is definitely not the choice of the municipality himself,” says alderman Rieja Raven (PvdA).
“We see that the task is so great that we also have to do almost everything that is possible, so no field is spared. Unfortunately, that also applies to culture,” says Raven.
The museum has been around for more than sixty years. Wiecher Lever started as a cut artist with a shop in Roden and started a large collection to attract customers. “He deserved the most with cutting silhouettes. He cut them at fairs and weddings, wherever people came together,” says Bruges. “He cut such a silhouette within a few minutes.”
In 1960, that collection was large enough to be called a mosue. After four years he moved to Westerbork with the museum. Lever crashed and after his death was a hassle about the inheritance. Eventually the entire collection was auctioned and divided. Bruges: “It was a Westerborks initiative to start the museum again with a number of volunteers. Gradually it is completely established in Westerbork.”
Due to the curator of the museum, the son of WIETER LEVER, the museum still manages to get important cutting artworks. For example, a work by Roelof van Verleen has been in the museum for a few months. “It is a cut that has been stored very well. Certainly if you consider how old it is,” says Brugge with pride. “It is a cut from before 1710. We don’t know the exact year. We estimate in the end of 1600 or early 1700.”
According to Bruges, the paper cut art was at a peak at the time. “The few things we have from that period give the impression that there must have been a lot more. But of course it is very vulnerable. Light, moisture, cold, climate control you had nothing at the time.”
In total, the museum has a budget of almost 30,000 euros. The subsidy amount of six thousand euros is therefore around twenty percent of the budget. The rest will collect the museum through the sale of entrance tickets and souvenirs. “Six thousand euros …”, Woldman is silent, “who can take care of that? We understand that a cut should be made. The municipality has received a big task that they understand that to society. But to this extent and aimed at a sector that is already vulnerable, that is actually not possible.”
In addition to Musuem of Paper Cutting, the municipality also cuts in other areas such as the municipal organization, youth assistance, welfare work and sport. In total, the municipality has to cut 2.3 million euros. There are concrete cutbacks for 1.8 million euros. The rest will follow later this year.
The municipality of Midden-Drenthe has promised to help the museum in the search for other lenders. “The community in Westerbork is known for being very active and powerful. Perhaps others can also contribute or there are other municipal budgets that we can look at,” said Alderman Raven.