Many students pursue careers as self-employed professionals after completing their studies. Therefore, it is crucial for art academies to equip them thoroughly for this path. The AHK is dedicated to integrating (creative) entrepreneurship deeply into art education.
Kick-off new Community of Practice
On Wednesday, November 13, the kick-off event for the new network Community of Practice (CoP) focused on entrepreneurship in higher arts education took place. The CoP was launched as a platform to exchange knowledge and draw inspiration. Ninety professionals from across the country gathered in Utrecht to connect, share insights, and inspire one another. Together with its co-initiators, HKU and ArtEZ, AHK provided a behind-the-scenes look at entrepreneurship education.
Enhancing Impact
Entrepreneurship education for art students has undergone significant changes and improvements over the past decade. Many art schools are actively working to integrate (creative) entrepreneurship into their curricula. Well-developed entrepreneurial competencies equip students to transition more effectively into the labor market, contributing to the broader impact of arts and culture on society.
What is needed for a resilient and adaptive artsector?
Moderator Marjolein Marzacu led a panel discussion with leaders from both within and beyond higher arts education. Central questions included: What is needed for a resilient and adaptive sector? What steps are we taking, and where can we collaborate?
Panel discussion featuring Annet Lekkerkerker
Using key propositions as starting points, the panel and audience explored the roles and responsibilities of art schools in fostering creative entrepreneurship. Representing AHK, Annet Lekkerkerker (Chair of the Executive Board) joined the panel. Other panel members included Dennis Stam (Management Team Member, Heritage and Arts at the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science), Sjoerd Feitsma (Director of Platform ACCT), Edwin Jacobs (Executive Board Member, HKU), and Tamara Rumiantsev (Director of Research and Valorization, ArtEZ).
Learnings from the master’s programme Creative Producing
AHK showcased its seven years of experience with the master’s programme Creative Producing as a best practice. Artistic Director of the programme, Marijke Schaap, along with alumni Damani Leidsman and Dionne Verwey, shared how these insights can inform entrepreneurship education, with an emphasis on connecting three domains: communities, artists, and financiers.
Official launch of the Community of Practice
This kick-off event marked the official launch of the Community of Practice. Are you involved in entrepreneurship within higher arts education, working to prepare art students for the transition from study to the professional field? Would you like to engage with other professionals, even beyond your institution? Join the community on LinkedIn to stay informed about upcoming events for and by the community in 2025: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13097746/.
The Community of Practice was established by Arlette Kerkhof (HKU), Judith Prins (AHK) and Tamara Rookus (ArtEZ) with support from theRijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (Netherlands Enterprise Agency). Wil je in contact komen? Mail naar kuo.ondernemerschap@hku.nl.
Thank you to all attendees for sharing your knowledge and networks!
HKU, ArtEZ, AHK, Fontys, Avans, Koninklijk Conservatorium, St. Joost, Gerrit Rietveld Academie, Prins Claus Conservatorium, Hogeschool van Amsterdam, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Zuyd, Luiss Business School, Codarts, Amsterdam Fashion Institute, Conservatorium Maastricht. Koninklijke Academie van Beeldende Kunsten, Willem de Kooning Academie, Design Academy Eindhoven, Greenberry, SIA, Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland, Ministerie OCW, Platform ACCT, Cultuur+Ondernemen.
If you want to learn more about entrepreneurship education at AHK, visit: AHK Entrepreneurship
