It was announced today that Stichting Zuiderparktheater can continue operating the open-air theatre for the next four years. The Hague municipality has granted the foundation a subsidy after all. Board, team and volunteers are grateful, happy and especially relieved to be able to continue in 2021, albeit with a lower subsidy amount. Through an open call, the foundation submitted a second application, alongside two other parties, as the second round of the Kunstenplan. This application was bolstered by a petition signed by 5,400 people. The Hague Municipal Executive decided today that the available budget will go to Stichting Zuiderparktheater. The theatre's subsidy will be reduced from €160,000 to €100,000 a year. This means there is less money (€60,000,-) in the budget every year compared to the past four years.
"There is finally clarity on survival," Kjell Wagner, chairman responded elatedly. "For our staff and volunteers, this long-awaited news is a huge boost so near the end of the year. We can start now! And we start right away, we don't let any grass grow on it. Much preparation time for the new season has already been lost in this process. There is work to be done! Although little is certain for next year because of the Corona measures and we have to make do with less money, we again have a dot on the horizon. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us with heart and soul over the past few months and worked hard to achieve this. Without your commitment and enthusiasm, this allocation would never have been achieved! We face a huge challenge in 2021, but I fully trust that with a loyal and hard-working team of people, we can make lots of visitors happy with culture in the open air!"
Of course, the details of the programme in 2021 have yet to take shape.