To significantly boost arts education in Rotterdam the administrators of Willem de Kooning Academy, Codarts, Hogeschool voor de Kunsten, and Erasmus University Rotterdam signed a declaration of intent to achieve their ambition.
The four educational institutions will open a new cultural campus in the Southern part of Rotterdam. The new university of the arts aims to offer study programs to new generations in the arts and sciences. The art institution will be a new entity linked to both Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences and Erasmus University. The municipality of Rotterdam supports this special initiative.
The educational institutions are joining forces with the municipality to develop the so-called Culture & Campus on the Charloisse Hoofd of Maashaven. This new cultural campus will combine education, research, and social initiatives. At the same time, the location offers the educational institutions the opportunity to intensify their mutual connection and their relationship with the city.
The campus itself will be the location for the practice of art. And also for artistic and cultural reflection which, on this scale, is not possible anywhere else. In addition, the campus will facilitate encounters, research, education-related social initiatives, and cultural programming that the partners will develop jointly.
High-quality internationally oriented art education
“The joining of forces of two art academies rooted in Rotterdam and complementary to each other, as well as the collaboration between the university of applied sciences and university, enables us to offer teaching materials that are well suited to the needs of students. From preparatory education and high-quality, internationally oriented bachelor and master programs to doctoral research,” says Ron Bormans, President of the Executive Board, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences.
“Based on our collaboration in the education and research program Rotterdam Arts & Sciences Lab (RASL) – which addresses and redefines social issues with the aid of art and science (you can find more information about RASL at the end of this page) – we have learned that there is a great need for such a large umbrella educational institution”, says Jeroen Chabot, Dean of the Willem de Kooning Academy.
The new educational institution will provide a better transfer from higher education to university education. Wilma Franchimon, President of the Executive Board of Codarts, adds. “In addition to the bachelor’s and master’s degrees, the new art institute will offer opportunities for joint educational programs. Combinations of study programs in higher professional education and academic education also become possible. This way, we can serve students even better.”
Collateral benefits in education
The Erasmus University will contribute academic education and research to the new art institution. Ed Brinksma, President of the Executive Board of Erasmus University: “Uniting the visual and performing arts, design and academia in the new art institute creates new possible collateral benefits. In education and research for all the partners involved. Not only here in Rotterdam but also nationally and internationally.”
The Rotterdam Municipal Executive supports the initiative. “We applaud this collaboration between educational institutions in Rotterdam. In the future, Rotterdam will be able to distinguish itself as a leader in the field of art education. With an extensive range of professional art programs. This new educational institution is also a powerful boost for the Culture & Campus in Zuid, where we are already working together intensively”, says Said Kasmi, Vice Mayor for Education, Culture and Tourism for the City of Rotterdam.
“This will be a vibrant, creative hub where energy, creativity, and young talent can come together. It is a fine development for Rotterdam-Zuid. It inspires children and young people from the area, provides employment and cohesion in neighborhoods, and attracts tourists. We are proud that we are going to work on this together with these educational institutions.”
Coverphoto: Plaatwerk
