"Education Inspectorate's report to provide impulse for step-by-step improvement at ArtEZ”
The Inspectorate of Education has published its report on the investigation it conducted at ArtEZ in 2024. It sets out a critical but clear picture of the challenges we face. ArtEZ embraces the Inspectorate’s recommendations and will work with the directors and the organisation to implement them. Jan van der Boon, interim-President of the Executive Board: “Improvements relating to quality assurance of the education which have already been initiated will be accelerated and, where necessary, augmented. Care for students and staff and, where necessary, compliance with laws and regulations will be enhanced. We will do all this step-by-step and with the involvement of students and staff. They are the key to change.”
ArtEZ is a leading, flourishing institution for art education and practice-based research in the arts. We want to maintain and further develop that position. We have seven academies offering a broad palette of bachelor's and master’s courses in fine art, architecture, fashion, design, music, theatre, creative writing, dance and art education. The academies are diverse in terms of the professional fields they serve, their connection with society and their development. The report focuses on a number of specific issues which do not reflect the overall picture at ArtEZ. It also states that there is no cause for concern about quality assurance and the proper delivery of the education at most of our locations.
The Executive Board recognises the importance of decisive, targeted action, but believes in prioritising care ahead of speed. Together we will continue to build a future centred around future-proof art education. Because that's what matters: connecting people and ideas in order to make a positive contribution to society as a whole as students, staff and lecturers.
The Supervisory Board endorses the Executive Board’s position. Louise van Deth, chair of the Supervisory Board: “We take the Inspectorate's findings very seriously. Change is a challenging process. We are glad the Inspectorate has made it concerns explicit. They confirm the areas for improvement we had largely already identified ourselves. We have every confidence that the interim Executive Board will take the right steps at the appropriate time. In doing so, ArtEZ is working towards resolving issues in the short term and development in the long term."
The Executive Board would like to invite students and staff to share your ideas about following up on the recommendations and so about the future of ArtEZ. In consultation with the directors and the Participation Council, this will be shaped in the short term.