Willem de Kooning Academy, Hogeschool Rotterdam

The Willem de Kooning Academy offers contemporary and cutting-edge art courses that complement changing, international practice. The outside world is no longer looking for the autonomous artist or the graphic designer, but rather for people who possess a multitude of talents and skills and who look beyond the borders of their original discipline. These are ‘creating pioneers’. The speed and complexity of technological developments strongly influence contemporary and future professional practice. Our students will work both at local and at international levels with professionals from different disciplines in open and virtual settings.

We create the setting in which you can develop and broaden your interests. You can choose different ways of working, the type of assignment that suits your style of learning and how to develop your talent. The whole learning process may be different for each individual student, but the degrees that you earn are equal. You will attend theory classes that are appropriate to your level at the time and you will be part of an elective programme. It is important that you do not only choose a particular study programme – let’s say Design – and a major – let’s say Advertising – but also a professional role and a professional context with a corresponding internship and a minor programme. You can also enter an honors programme and/or complete your graduation specialization by choosing an exchange programme at an academy or university abroad. This gives you the opportunity to adopt the academy’s education programme to your own preferences and to the development of your own talent.

Study career coaching
While a student at WdKA, a study career coach will monitor your progress and help you make your personal study choices. Your study career coach will help you prepare for your life as a professional. Together you will decide your choices and the course that your studies will take.

On top of your major, let’s say Advertising or Fine Art, your study will also comprise elective minors. You may choose from a wide range of contemporary subjects and issues. It will introduce you to the three graduation profiles: Autonomous Practices, Social Practices, and Commercial Practices. The choice of minors is limited in your first year, but as you progress they will play an increasing part in your degree programme. Thus, you will study both within your own subject and within the Practices. You will work on real assignments and can gain practical experience during an internship and exchange. Ultimately, you will compile your own broad package of knowledge, skills, and specialties. When you graduate, you will have a unique body of professional practice that will make you stand out in the labor market, in the creative sector or in the art world