Flemish culture awards axed as government tightens spending
Flemish minister of Culture Caroline Gennez (Vooruit) has announced that the Ultimas, Flanders’ official culture awards, will be scrapped as part of broader budget cuts in the cultural sector. The decision, published on the Ultimas’ official website, brings an end to more than twenty years of the Flemish culture prizes.
According to De Standaard, abolishing the Ultimas will save the government around 614,000 euros. The measure is part of a broader savings package amounting to approximately 23 million euros, on a total culture budget of nearly half a billion euros. “That’s a significant effort,” said Gennez. “But in this exercise, we tried to protect the artists, the creators and the people in the field as much as possible.”
The minister defended the decision by arguing that lavish ceremonies are no longer a priority. “In a context where we’re asking everyone to make an effort, expensive award shows and ceremonies aren’t a government priority. Moreover, there are many other cultural prizes awarded by the sector itself—think of the Boon, the Ensors or the MIAs—whose reach and impact are much greater,” she said.
First introduced in 2003, the Ultimas were awarded annually by the Flemish Community across twelve categories, honouring outstanding contributions to the arts and culture. In 2021, an Audience Award was added to recognise artists and organisations that broadened access to culture. Each laureate received both a physical award and a cash prize.
#FlandersNewsService | Winner muziek Bryggen pictured during the award ceremony of the Ultimas23, Flemish culture prizes, Tuesday 30 April 2024, in Lint. © BELGA PHOTO JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE
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