When the Arts Decree was first implemented it igniteda polemic about the future of the performing arts. This prompted Vlaams Theater Instituut (VTi) to undertake a detailed field analysis. Since then practice and policy have brought us a long way. Thorny issues have been discussed in the VTi magazine Courant and at workshops.

Metamorphoses recapitulates statistical analyses from along this road, and, in a nutshell, shows how radically the production of performing arts in Flanders and Brussels has changed since the nineteen nineties. In 1993 the theatre company, with its relatively permanent team of contributors, was still the prototypical organisation. Today we are seeing more and more interdisciplinary production nuclei, which maintain casual relationships with freelance artists and co-producers at home and abroad.

‘Everything changes, nothing perishes’, Ovidius assured us. These metamorphoses are no reason to lament. But they do challenge performing artists, stage organisations and policy-makers to adjust and redefine their positions.

This publication is not for sale, but is available as a free download.

Author: Vlaams Theater Instituut vzw

ISBN: 9789074351248