General information
The Arts and Culture Studies Master’s programme trains students to become talented scholars with in-depth substantive, theoretical, and methodological knowledge of arts and culture and the history thereof. Graduates are competent academic researchers who can apply their knowledge to make a positive contribution to society. Students specialise in one of four tracks: Creative Industries, Art History, Cultural Policy and the Business of Art or Tourism and Culture. Students also have the opportunity to choose electives in each of these four tracks. Graduates are extremely valuable to the cultural sector thanks to their extensive knowledge, outstanding communications skills, and highly-relevant up-to-date scientific insights.
Programme-wide exit qualifications
After completing the programme, graduates will be capable of:
- independently analysing issues of relevance to arts and culture and substantiating their own visions and perspectives on these issues. This analysis and substantiation demonstrates the graduate's investigative and inquisitive attitude and a methodical and critical approach to processing industry-specific information.
- independently researching specific issues of relevance to the field of arts and culture with the help of applicable research methods. Graduates are capable of defining a problem, formulating sub-questions, carrying out theoretical and/or empirical research with the help of relevant sources, and reporting on the results in clear, academic language (both verbally and in writing).
- carrying out tasks within a specific timeframe, both individually and as part of a team. Graduates are capable of evaluating and improving on these tasks based in part on the feedback of others. Graduates can identify gaps in their own knowledge or expertise and resolve these with the help of targeted searches. They can make well-informed decisions with regard to their future careers.
- providing examples to illustrate how the development of the field coincides with developments in related disciplines. They can participate in discussions with other researchers and scholars and/or translate insights derived from academic research in socially relevant presentations or debates.
Nijmegen characteristics
- exploration of Western art history, from antiquity to the present
- focus on societal role of arts and culture
- unique expertise: patronage
- unique in the Netherlands: chair in early Christian art
- multidisciplinary and broadly oriented
- several excursions
- wide range of educational forms and assignments
- direct access to teacher education in arts and culture and the arts in general
- strong link between research and education
- small-scale and personal education
Career prospects
Our graduates work at cultural institutions as project leaders or programmers, at museums and art centres, at heritage institutes and festivals, as art dealers, and at organisations that work at the interface of finance and culture. They often play an intermediary role as cultural brokers or policy officers at municipalities, provinces, or national governments. They advise institutions on funding options or attract benefactors and sponsors. Others work as journalists in traditional or new media.
The Dutch-language Art History programme
The Dutch-language Art History programme (Kunstgeschiedenis) encourages students to engage in a deeper exploration of the visual arts and architecture from a historical perspective. The history of art history is addressed, as are the different methodological approaches of relevance to this field. Students will develop into fully fledged academics in their chosen speciality by conducting independent research, assessing the research of others, mastering the professional applications in the field of art history, and by transmitting scientific information to others.
The Dutch-language Cultural Policy and the Business of Art programme
The Dutch-language Cultural Policy and the Business of Art programme (Kunstbeleid en kunstbedrijf) focuses on the current issues surrounding funding for art and cultural purposes. For years, this debate focused on the government's position; in recent years, however, private donors (patrons) and corporate art sponsors have become important players in both science and society. Students in this programme will examine the role of the government and the private sector play in the art industry. They will learn how to critically evaluate relevant scientific theories and explanations on the path to becoming cultural experts who can take an informed stance in the field. The Cultural Policy and the Business of Art Master’s programme has clear links to the faculty research programme Studying Criticism and Reception Across Borders.
Programme Creative Industries
During the programme you will study the (post)industrial society as a cultural phenomenon. The case studies you will work with include the fashion-industry, new media and the role of images, and the music industry. You will also analyse themes such as creativity and the so-called ‘21st Century Skills' in policy-making and education, the relationships between subjects and material culture, and how cultural heritage can be effectively incorporated in today's ‘participation society'. If you want to make a career in the area where art meets commerce, where highbrow meets lowbrow, and where elite meets public, Creative Industries will definitely suit your interests. This degree will help you develop the reflective, inquisitive and critical attitude you need to succeed in this field, while closely looking at research methods and discussions currently surrounding these topics. After completing the programme, you will have the skills you need to contribute to the development of the young and dynamic creative sector.
Programme Tourism and Culture
Tourism has developed into one of the prime industries in the global economy. According to the World Travel & Tourist Council, the tourism sector supports 1 in 10 jobs on the planet. Travel agencies, governments, heritage centers and publishers are increasingly looking for academically trained professionals who can creatively and critically reflect on tourism as a cultural phenomenon, and who are capable of nourishing the cultural interests of tourists with enticing ideas and well-informed stories. There is a growing need, both among young adults and older generations, to include in mass tourism new types of travel experiences. At the same time, traditional destinations for cultural tourism such as cathedrals, palaces, museums or ruins face the challenge to adapt to rising levels of education conflicting with shortening attention spans. By combining historical, literary, art-historical and other disciplinary approaches, and by integrating academic research with practical challenges, this programme will train you to become an academic expert in cultural tourism.
Honours Programme
Radboud Honours Academy offers highly-motivated and talented Radboud University students the opportunity to follow a challenging academic programme alongside their current programme. Honours programmes are available for first year students, Bachelor's students, and Master's students.
More information can be found on our website. You can also make an appointment with one of the programme directors (mail: honours@honours.ru.nl Website: www.ru.nl/honoursacademy)
Radboud Honours Academy Erasmusplein 1, room 19.06 Phone: 024-3615955 E-mail: honours@honours.ru.nl Website: www.ru.nl/honoursacademy