The Fine Art programme at the Piet Zwart Institute is based on an understanding of contemporary art as embedded within a larger field of cultural, social and political practices. It encourages critical discourse on artistic practice and places an emphasis on self-reflection and analysis. Furthermore, public interaction is given a special focus, inciting participants to connect with practitioners outside of the Piet Zwart Institute and present their works to general audiences.
Our English-taught two-year Master degree programme provides an international platform in which artists can develop their practice through independent studio work as well as a lively dialogue with artists, curators and theorists from a diversity of disciplines: art, theatre, literature, philosophy, film and others. Our students, faculty members and guests come from all over the world: Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Lebanon, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Romania, Turkey, the United States, among many other countries, providing participants in our programme a truly international experience.
Students receive very strong individual tutorial support with weekly studio visits by both regular staff and guests. Furthermore, we offer a challenging programme of annually changing thematic projects, exhibitions, seminars, excursions and public lectures that provide a broad framework for the exploration of issues relevant to contemporary culture and society. The small size of the programme (20-25 students) makes for intensive and focused discussions and allows for close interactions between the course director, faculty members, guests and students, creating a very special community around the Piet Zwart Insitute.
Our faculty and guests are practitioners in contemporary art and culture with a very active professional practice. In addition to our curriculum, taught by our core faculty and invited project leaders, we organise an ongoing public event series based on issues related to the curriculum, but reaching beyond the framework of the seminars. The public events are an important resource for students, tutors and guests, serving as bridge to the city and building a community around areas of interests.