Prepare well

Would you like to start a programme at the ArtEZ Academy of Art & Design Zwolle?

Visit one of our open days to experience the atmosphere at the academy for yourself. You can speak with lecturers and students, have your portfolio reviewed, attend information sessions, ask questions at the Student Information Point (STIP), and explore the classrooms and student work.

Get inspired

To prepare well, it helps to start exploring art and design. Visit exhibitions and browse platforms such as MetropolisM, Kunstbeeld, Frame, DAMn and Dezeen.

Each year you can also visit the academy’s ArtEZ finals exhibition. This usually takes place in June or July and presents the work that fourth-year students created for their graduation.

Portfolio

For your portfolio, we ask you to bring examples of your own work. This should be a selection of work you have created during secondary school or a preparatory course, assignments you made for others, and work you created independently.

Take time to develop work in different media. If you want to know what is expected, or whether your portfolio is strong enough, you can bring it to the open day. Students will be happy to look at it with you and give you tips.

Portfolio tips
 

• Show three-dimensional work, such as furniture, clothing or other objects – not only drawings or paintings.
• Include personal work made on your own initiative, such as sketches or drawings created outside school. This kind of work is especially valued.  
• Practise observational drawing. In this programme, you will work a lot with hand-drawn sketches. So, in preparation for admission, draw a spatial observation in your sketchbook every day.
• Curate and present clearly: make a well-considered selection and present your work in a clear, organised way.
   

You can get early feedback during our open days, where lecturers and students can review your portfolio and give you tips.