In Flanders, the actual practice of the arts by non-professionals is mainly rooted in the period 1890 – 1930. The autonomous way of organising rises from a twofold emancipation movement. Social and democratic developments stemming from retreating government forces emerge in Belgium with delay in comparison the rest of Western Europe.
The cultural and national emancipation of the northern part of Belgium – nowadays the federal state of Flanders (6 million inhabitants) – is a reaction to the neglect of the Dutch language and culture by the unitary Belgian state. Since its establishment in 1830 Belgium was governed by the French-speaking minority.
The main developments in the organisation and support of culture in Flanders have taken place since 1970, when
cultural autonomy was acquired. Particularly after the establishment of the federal state of Flanders in 1980
things started to happen.
In a period of 30 years the Flemish parliament has ratified a series of decrees related to the cultural domain.
These decrees affected socio-cultural work, youth work, library work, cultural centres and (recently) also the
(re)organisation of local cultural policy. The amateur arts are part of the policy for socio-cultural work and
are organised and subsidised by a specific decree.
There are still few scientific research data available about the sector. For example there are no reliable data on the number of amateur artists. Persons and groups are also active in youth work, socio-cultural work for seniors and even in the sports sector (dance). In addition, more than 150,000 students follow part-time Art Education (out-of- school-arts education). Furthermore, there are arrangements for socio-artistic projects, arts education institutions, etc. Today there are 8,000 local associations, adding up to 150,000 members, who are all joined in the 10 national amateur organisations.
Written by: Reinoud D’Haese, 2004
