Job on the Liberal Arts minor: "It’s like a clearing in a forest"

The only hesitation? The distance. "I mostly live in Rotterdam, and Zwolle isn’t exactly around the corner. A one-way trip takes 2.5 hours, several times a week. But I decided to let that go. If something feels right, you just have to go for it." 

So what is Liberal Arts, exactly? 

Once he started, Job quickly realized how different this minor was from what he was used to. "At HKU, most assignments are goal-oriented: you get a brief, and you have to work within those limits. But in Liberal Arts, you get total freedom. The teachers don’t say, ‘This is what you have to make,’ but instead, ‘What do you want to make?’ That opens so many doors. I see Liberal Arts as a clearing in a forest. That forest is your own study program, and the clearing is this minor. It’s a space where you get to think about who you are, what you feel, what you want, and how you want to engage with the world, both as an artist and as a person." The minor consists of both classes and studio days. "Our class had its own studio - two rooms where we could work freely. Mondays and Fridays were studio days, while Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays were for lessons. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, we focused on art in an existential sense: we created, discussed, and experimented. Thursdays were dedicated to philosophy - learning about different thinkers, perspectives, and discussion methods." 

Focusing on why, rather than how 

Job explains that Liberal Arts is not about learning a specific technique, like animation or writing. "It’s more of an open space where you explore who you are as a maker and as a person. That might sound vague, but it’s actually very concrete. You get assignments that shift your perspective, you discuss art and philosophy, and you learn that taking your own creative process seriously might be the most important thing of all." A big part of the minor is reflection. On yourself, your work, and the world around you. "It was confronting at times, but mostly very valuable. You start thinking about why you create, rather than just how." 

What happens when nothing is mandatory? 

One of the most unique aspects of the minor is the level of freedom students get. "The idea is: if nothing is mandatory, what will you do? That question sparks something. In my class, everyone responded differently. Some started drawing, others spent time thinking or walking. But it all came from intrinsic motivation. And I think that’s exactly what this minor is designed to bring out." 

A trip to Venice 

One of the highlights? Without a doubt, the study trip to Venice. "We visited the Biennale, one of the biggest art exhibitions in the world. But it wasn’t just about looking at art. We learned how to truly engage with a work: What is it saying to me? What do I say back? That might sound abstract, but it completely changed the way I see art." Beyond the academic experience, the social aspect of the minor was just as valuable. "Because you work so closely together and have deep conversations, you really bond as a group. After five months, it felt like I had been in class with these people for three years." 

Less pressure, more freedom 

Looking back, Job feels the minor changed him in many ways. "Before, I always felt this pressure: you have to perform, get good grades, follow a clear path. But in Liberal Arts, I learned to let that go. What I create is enough as it is. That realization gave me so much freedom. It broke me open mentally. I hadn’t realized it, but I was in a kind of shell. This minor introduced me to new perspectives, techniques, and people that really changed me." 

An experience, not just a course 

So how does this impact his future? "I’m in the final stage of my studies now, and I feel less pressure to immediately make some ‘big’ career move. I no longer feel like I have to follow a set path - working at an ad agency or a major festival, for example, which never really appealed to me anyway. Before, I thought I had to, and I put that pressure on myself. Now, I just want to focus on my own artistry, maybe rent a studio, and simply create. Where that leads, I’ll figure out later."  Would he recommend the minor? "A hundred percent. But only if you go into it with an open mind. It’s not a traditional course with clear goals and outcomes. It’s an experience. And that experience has taught me more than any assignment ever could." 

Learn more about the minor Liberal Arts

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