The Industrial Smalspoor Museum in Erica requires more subsidy from the municipality of Emmen: not 25,000 euros but 40,000 euros. A necessity because in that case the body run by volunteers can make a professionalization battle. Without that step, the future of the more than forty -year -old attraction is at stake.
During a hearing at the independent objections committee of the municipality of Emmen, the board announced on Wednesday evening that it is seriously concerned. “Without a professionalization stroke, the future of the museum is endangered,” warned treasurer Hein Ruijgers.
Until two years ago, the museum was completely without structural municipal support. Recently it obtained an official museum status and was included in the culture memorandum of Emmen. Since then, the museum can count on an annual amount of 25,000 euros up to and including 2028.
According to Ruijgers, however, it was clear from the outset that the museum would need 40,000 euros, an amount that has also been substantiated with the municipality. “There would be a conversation about this amount, but that consultation never took place.”
The museum has previously appointed a temporary museum manager from its own resources to work on a more professional course. Occasionally, the municipality then made a contribution, but according to Ruijgers it was previously indicated that this construction is not sustainable in the long term.
The desired subsidy must make it possible to appoint a permanent force for a more professional management. “You can’t put this responsibility on the shoulders of volunteers,” he says.
Why the current subsidy amount of 25,000 euros has been awarded is unclear for the board. “We have never seen a concrete motivation. This surprised us total,” said Ruijgers. “We even spoke with the alderman, who said it looked good. We just had to be surprised. Well, we knew that.”
Representatives of the municipal administration, who were present at the hearing, stated that the subsidy amount is based on earlier incidental contributions. “The city council has assessed this amount reasonably well.” It was acknowledged that no conversations with the museum took place. “Because of personnel changes, this may have remained.”
However, the municipality pointed to a pot for incidental subsidies, although it is unclear whether this can be used for the structural appointment of staff. According to the municipality, the place on the subsidy list offers more certainty in any case.
The objections committee is now considering the case and issues an advice to the mayor and aldermen in the week after Pentecost. They can take over the advice, but can also deviate from it.