Presenting and producing performing arts in the light of cost efficiency; juxtaposing the Netherlands against Germany

Abstract

Just as any other industry, the performing arts realize an output due to a certain input. Nonetheless, the characteristics of the industry, being non-profit and receiving subsidy, have an influence on the way the input is constituted. Whereas in the for profit sector, organizations aim to maximize profit by increasing the output and minimizing the production costs, the aim is different for the performing arts. Nonetheless, times have changed, and in economical harsh time it has also become important for cultural institutions to bring about a healthy balance between the productions costs of their input and the output realized. In this article, the performing art landscapes of the Netherlands and Germany are compared, because they differ significantly in the way they produce and present theatre. In Germany performing companies and venues form one organization while in the Netherlands these are separate organizations. Generally is presumed that the German system of presenting and producing is preferable for the social embedding of the arts and support for cultural subsidies. The data suggests that the separated production and presenting of the performing arts in the Netherlands works more cost efficient than the German system. The Netherlands attracts the same number of visitors with less seats and performances available. Also, the subsidy requirement is lower and the degree of occupancy is higher.