Artisteducators connect art and society

Strong mission

"It all started four years ago," says Bart with gleaming eyes. "In addition to my teaching at ArtEZ, I work at Het Wilde Westen in Utrecht, along with my colleagues Susi Rosenfeld (dancer) and Susan Bink (visual artist). We wanted to create something that surpasses traditional theater-making methods, something that celebrates the diversity of human experience. Our goal is to give everyone access to the freedom of the artistic process and philosophical thinking. Not just the people fortunate enough to be admitted or those who already know that there is an art academy and that it is an option to pursue."

Art has the power to bridge gaps and promote empathy and understanding."

The power of collective improvisations

Common Stage is practical. Bart, students, teachers, and people from outside the art academy work and practice together on the floor with collective improvisations. "By improvising together, we create space for equality and give hands, feet, and sound to terms like diversity, inclusion, and non-hierarchical and interdisciplinary work. Sometimes that results in five minutes of chaos. Then two minutes of absolute beauty. Completely unexpected encounters arise." The learning process is also reversed. Bart says, "For example, we once asked participants, 'do you want to teach us something?' That's how Oumar from Uganda taught us a song. After three weeks, Oumar didn't come anymore, but his song continued for twelve more sessions."

It's not about teaching; it's about learning from each other. We want to create a space where everyone feels empowered to express themselves, regardless of their background or experience."

Role of the artisteducator

During the collective improvisations, students explored what the didactics of the artist educator entail. "Previously, there was a 'teacher in theatre', but that sounded like someone who teaches someone else. The term 'artisteducator' covers it much better because in professional practice – in contexts other than theater – it's about sharing your artistic process in a way that stimulates both your own creative process and that of another. For a teacher, that can be very difficult. Teachers are immediately focused on the other person, but something happens on both sides."

The process is the product. It's about embracing vulnerability and finding strength in our shared humanity."

Bart also continues to learn, despite his 25 years of experience as a teacher and artisteducator. "During improvisations, the art is in being present without letting my judgments get in the way. For instance, if I think something is too flat, what can I do to steer it in a different direction? My colleague Elsa May Averill also contributes to Common Stage. She looks at what emerges on the floor more like a theater maker with a director's eye: what do you discover about your own preferences as a creating artist educator? I'm glad that we, as an art academy, continue to learn. As soon as you think you know it all, it stagnates. And then you lose connection with students."

Tips for students

For (future) students of Artisteducator in Theatre, Bart has the following words. "There is just one person like you in the world. You have to deal with it. Your artistry and artist education are your own. And, while it may sound cliché, dare to be yourself. Dare to discover yourself. Then forget yourself and rediscover yourself. That's why I've been at it for 25 years!"

Artisteducator in Theatre

Theatre adds colour to life, offers comfort, recognition, and beauty. In the Artisteducator in Theatre bachelor's course, you learn to touch, stimulate, and develop the artistry of others with your own artistry. You become an artist who makes a difference, is critical, and shares significant stories in a national and international context. As an artist educator, you know how to connect, create, move, shape, and listen. There is a 100% job guarantee.

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