Practice Our faculty consists of teaching artists who maintain personal, professional practices. They supervise and encourage students to make informed choices and provide close access to their chosen fields of experience. The program provides clear structure and fuel for the creative process, offering in-class guidance aimed at the individual, artistic development of each student.
During group critiques, students learn how to examine the artwork of fellow students, as well as their own, to grow and develop constructively through criticism.
LAB Each year, students participate in six different LABs taught by guest lecturers and visiting artists from various fields of contemporary art. Students apply the knowledge they acquire in the LABs to their work in either painting or sculpture, in consultation with faculty.
LABs introduce students to exciting areas of contemporary art, outside the regular curriculum. Through first-hand, real-world examples from practicing professionals, students gain insights for making conscious choices about their future careers.
In addition to the practice and LAB, the program curriculum consists of the following subjects:
- Art theory
- Philosophy
- Technical skills
- Preparation for professional practice (website, portfolio, photographing work, writing project, administrative skills, etc.)
- Reflection (write about and present artwork, consider group critiques and discussions)
First year: Foundation year The first year provides a broad orientation in which students explore the various disciplines, such as painting, drawing, photography, graphics, spatial art and new media. They also learn art theory and develop the academic skills to analyze and write texts.
At the end of the second semester, students choose a path of study between the two pillars of Fine Art; Fine Art Painting or Fine Art Sculpture. Sculpture presents a broad approach to the concept of space, while painting focuses on research within the plane. Both areas provide a structure and continuity under which students can develop their unique style and expression in their discipline of choice, through the support of a flexible, composite team of teachers.
Program Because art today is not tied to traditional techniques, AKI Fine Art encompasses both old and new media, in innovative combinations. Students are encouraged to explore the possibilities beyond the boundaries of any particular field of knowledge.
The main phase covers a broad spectrum of art making within the two pillars of fine art:
Fine Art Painting
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Fine Art Sculpture
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LAB Research, experimentation, depth in practice, knowledge:
- Performance Art / Installation Art
- Video / Cinema / Medium specifies
- Kinetic Art / Interactive Art / Digital Art
- New Matter / TechArt / Bio Art / Sound
- Urban Art
- Conceptual Art / Time-Based Art/ Photography /(medium specific)
The AKI-ArtEZ Fine Art program is designed to progressively build on the student’s learning and development over the course of six semesters one foundation year and in three academic years. Each semester concludes with a formal review (two per year) and critique of the student’s work, practice, LAB participation, and theory comprehension. Additional topics, such as technical skills, are evaluated throughout every semester.
Second year Students begin the main phase in the second year of the program, guided and evaluated by at least three teachers while working in small groups.
Third year In the third year, students study and work independently in their chosen fields under the guidance of faculty and guest lecturers. Rather than following all six LABs, students choose only the LABs that further their work and give meaning to their personal practice.
Exchange/internship and Projects Fine Art AKI Enschede works with many international academies and art institutes, which allows students to develop their work through international exchanges, related internships or independent project proposals. Students who choose the international exchange program can study for up to three months at a university abroad.
Fourth year The fourth year prepares students for their future profession. Under the guidance of a theory teacher, students create work for a graduation exhibition based on their thesis. Collectors, curators, gallery owners and critics attend this major, annual exhibition.
Theory Throughout the program, students attend theory and philosophy courses that consist of lectures and discussion groups. The THINK program gives first-year students an opportunity to explore art over the past one hundred years. In the second year, contemporary art forms the theory foundation. In the third year, students discuss art theory through seminars, working with various substantive themes, analyzing personal research to further their work. In the fourth year, students develop their thesis and final exhibition.
Guest Lecture Classes/Trips and Focus Groups Students learn to define their artistic position in the art world, and in the larger world around them. They are encouraged to expand their perspectives by participating in travel-learning courses, visiting exhibitions and by attending guest lectures by internationally renowned artists. Former students often feel a strong bond with the program and regularly return to tell their stories of “life after the AKI.”
Lectures, workshops, and focus groups that specialize in particular fields of knowledge all prepare students for professional practice.
