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Nederlands Kamerkoor in negotiations about setting up base in Eindhoven
09.11.2011The Nederlands Kamerkoor is having talks with the Gemeente (city council) Eindhoven about a possible move to this city. The move could mean the Choir’s salvation, since it heard last week that its subsidy from the Dutch Perfoming Arts Fund is going to be cut by at least two-thirds.
The plans for the move were announced by the deputy mayor and Eindhoven’s alderman for Culture. The enthusiasm expressed in the announcement gives the Nederlands Kamerkoor confidence that the negotiations, which are still ongoing, can be successful.
The discussions between the NKK and Eindhoven began in September, following inspiring statements from the Culture alderman Mary-Ann Schreurs and the Queen’s Commissioner for the Province of North Brabant Wim van de Donk during the Paradiso Debate in Amsterdam, at the end of August.
From the very first meeting in September in Ms. Schreurs’ office it became clear that Eindhoven, with the Frits Philips Concert Hall in a leading role, Brabant Stad (a network of Brabant’s five leading cities) and the Province of North Brabant all give a great deal of prominence to art and culture, and have appealing ambitions in that area. The Nederlands Kamerkoor will be able to prosper there, and at the same time be of significance to both city and province. In addition, Eindhoven has shown willingness to help the Nederlands Kamerkoor through the difficult financial period to come. This provides time to work towards a different model of financing. After that the parties can together build an artistically inspiring and financially healthy future, in which sponsorship and fund-raising will also play a role.
It goes without saying that the Nederlands Kamerkoor will continue its tradition of performing throughout The Netherlands, and that the broad range of its programming will also be safeguarded in the future.
NKK General Manager Irene Witmer: “In our search for new accommodation we seem not only to have found a city in which we can realize our ambitions regarding a ‘Home of the NKK’, but also that we can look forward to a most stimulating cultural climate and terrific opportunities for collaboration with one of the finest concert halls in the country. All of this would represent a huge degree of support in meeting our financial challenges following the enormous cut in our subsidy.”
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