<nettime> Media Art, We Care

[Geert Lovink <geert@xs4all.nl>]

From the NIMK Newsletter: Media Art, We Care

The Dutch Secretary of state for culture, Halbe Zijlstra, has  
published his policy plan for the coming years on June 10th. In  
contrast to the official recommendations given to him by his advisory  
board, the Raad voor Cultuur, these historic cutbacks will not be  
spread out over a number of years but will take immediate effect as of  
January, 2013.
Next to the devastating effect for the whole field of emerging arts  
and innovation, this means that the Netherlands Media Art Institute is  
facing a 100% cut in its structural governmental funding.
Ever since the foundation of MonteVideo gallery in 1978, the  
Netherlands Media Art Institute has specialized in media and  
electronic art that seeks the creative possibilities of contemporary  
media and technology. Today we are an internationally renowned and all- 
round cultural organization, active and recognized in the areas of  
creation, presentation, research and conservation.
The collection of the Netherlands Media Art Institute comprises over  
2,000 works of more than 500 (inter)national artists and is the  
beating heart of the Institute. Historically, international exchange  
has always been an essential part of media art. At this moment, we  
annually distribute works from our collection to up to 35 countries  
worldwide. The total spectrum of activities includes exhibitions,  
education and research, and a high level of international cooperation.
Through such diverse functions, the Institute fulfils its role as  
intermediary for the media art sector: building bridges between  
artists, art institutions and the public: a center of expertise that  
makes its resources widely available.
Contrary to all recommendations and expectations we are now facing  
major challenges in keeping the Institute alive in order to remain an  
active leading player in the field of art, technology and innovation.
We are very much aware that the days of individualism are history.  
Alliances within and beyond the arts, partnerships and shared  
leadership will be key to help us through these unstable economic,  
political and social times.
The Netherlands Media Art Institute, being a valuable node in an  
international network, believes in the strength of this Institute, the  
sector and the potential of the artists and our partners. We are  
dedicated to invest all of our energy and efforts to keep media art  
vibrant and alive.
We welcome your response! We'd like to hear your opinion about NIMk  
and about the current situation. Send your response to info@nimk.nl  
and we publish it online or use the responsbox online (only for  
facebook users): http://nimk.nl/eng/media-art-we-care
Important links

Response by the art and new media institutions Steim, V2_, Mediamatic,  
De Waag Submarine Channel, WORM and NIMk: http://nimk.nl/eng/response-new-media-and-art-institutions-to-govermental-cuts-source-of-innovation-is-eliminated
De Zaak Nu: http://www.dezaaknu.nl/nieuws/2011/06/15/dear_mr_zijlstra

Sign the online Petition: http://petities.nl/petitie/bezuinigen-op-cultuur-zonder-alle-feiten-nooit


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