Arts and Society Utrecht University

Overview

The Arts and Society programme at Utrecht University is designed to meet the urgent need for arts professionals who possess rigorous theoretical and research skills coupled with practical abilities and an acute awareness of the current state of the sector at the local and global levels. 

As a student in this programme you will explore, for example, the dynamics and dilemmas within existing mainstream culture and its relationship with a growing number of “alternative” cultural practices, new models of creative production and industry, and the ever-increasing role of the arts in social justice.

Our Master’s programme is unique in many ways:

• You will benefit from interdisciplinary programme content that places a special emphasis on grassroots and participatory arts in social contexts.

• The Department of Media and Culture Studies, our programme's home, is a community of world class scholars whose teaching and research complement Arts and Society.

• You will be trained in highly innovative social research skills that combine methodological rigor, creative expression and critical engagement with the arts practices.

• You will learn from faculty with international expertise and benefit from a curriculum with a global orientation.

• Through our organisational partnerships in Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific, North America, and Latin America, you will get a chance to meet and interact with arts professionals working in a wide variety of contexts.

• You will have a broad range of opportunities for student exchange and joint research through our numerous academic partnerships across the globe.

Careers

• Arts-focused public sector enterprise and non-profit organisations
• Festival/event conceptualization and planning
• Education, community outreach or audience development for mainstream arts institutions such as museums, galleries, theatres and concert halls.
• Arts-based community organizing and advocacy
• Urban planning, design and strategy
• Design thinking and creative strategy and research
• Creative management, producer
• Arts collectives and foundations
• Grant-making foundations
• Ministries of Culture

Accreditation

Accredited by the NVAO - Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders.