Kunsten-Monitor 2025: ArtEZ alumni transition well into the labour market

The Kunsten-Monitor is an annual survey among recently graduated alumni from arts programmes in the Netherlands. The survey offers insight into their position in the labour market. The results show that alumni of ArtEZ University of the Arts generally transition well into professional practice. As many as 91% find work fully or partly in their field, in line with the national average.

About half of graduates work as freelancers. Alumni are positive about the facilities and support offered within the academies. When it comes to preparation for the labour market, ArtEZ scores slightly below other universities of applied sciences in the arts.

The survey looks at topics such as satisfaction with the programme, the connection between education and work, and labour market outcomes.

ArtEZ scores close to the national average on almost all indicators. For example, 91% of graduates fully or partly work within their field, compared to 90% nationally. For 78%, their work mainly consists of creative or performing activities. Nationally, this figure is 75%. Around half of the graduates work as freelancers. In addition, most graduates say they work part-time. This means the share of freelancers and part-time workers is higher than in other sectors included in the national HBO-Monitor.

Alumni are more satisfied than average with the facilities and support provided within the academies. A total of 84% are satisfied, compared to 73% nationally. Alumni also value ArtEZ as a strong foundation for their artistic development. Sixty percent say the programme offered a good basis for developing artistic knowledge and skills.

At the same time, the Kunsten-Monitor shows that the labour market remains challenging for graduates in the arts sector. Graduates from arts programmes generally take longer to find their first job than graduates from other universities of applied sciences. Alumni are also critical about how well their programme prepared them for professional practice.

The HBO-Monitor is an annual survey among graduates from Dutch universities of applied sciences. The survey is carried out by the Research Centre for Education and the Labour Market (ROA). It provides insight into the labour market position of graduates and shows how well programmes prepare students for professional practice.

For the arts sector specifically, the Kunsten-Monitor was developed. More information about the HBO-Monitor and the Kunsten-Monitor can be found at hbomonitor.nl.