The broad approach to the cultural sector in the bachelor programme really appealed to me
Alumna Bachelor Arts & Culture Studies + Master Arts, Culture & Society
Study programme: Bachelor Arts and Culture Studies and Master Arts, Culture & Society
Graduation year: 2021 & 2023
Current job: Project Manager Hall of Fame on Tour (freelance) at Nederlands Fotomuseum
Broad approach to the cultural sector
When I had to choose a degree programme, I knew right away that I wanted to study something related to arts and culture. I visited several universities offering programmes in this field, but ultimately chose the Bachelor Arts & Culture Studies at Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR). The broad approach to the cultural sector in this programme appealed to me the most. The programme examines art and culture from multiple perspectives, including sociological, media, and economic viewpoints. This provides a complete picture of the cultural sector, which I found incredibly interesting.
Gaining practical experience
A highlight of the bachelor programme for me was my internship at the Netherlands Photomuseum (Nederlands Fotomuseum) and my exchange to Aarhus (Denmark). During my internship, I got to see what it is like to work in a museum and, in addition to all the theoretical knowledge, I gained a lot of practical experience. It was also a very special experience to live and study in a completely different country and city for one semester. During this time, I made new friends with whom I am still in contact.
Increasing opportunities on the job market
During my master's programme in Arts, Culture & Society, I already started thinking about how I could increase my chances on the job market in the cultural sector. I took a part-time job at Cinerama, Rotterdam's oldest movie theatre, and did an internship at the Council for Culture in The Hague. This allowed me to gain work experience not only in the cultural sector but also in cultural policy, helping me to further build my professional network. Additionally, I collaborated with two cultural institutions while working on my master's thesis.
After graduating, I was able to start working full-time as a floor manager at Cinerama. I also applied for many jobs, and kept in touch with my internship organisations. Ultimately, building a network and gaining experience is very important if you want to work in the cultural sector. Thanks to the network I had built up during my studies, I eventually landed my first real assignments: both the Nederlands Fotomuseum and the Raad voor Cultuur asked me back for a project six months after graduation. I became a freelancer and my career in the cultural sector really took off, allowing me to work on some really fun and interesting projects as a recent graduate.
I am currently the project manager for a project at the Nederlands Fotomuseum. This involves many different tasks, but my main responsibility is to ensure that all the practical aspects of the project are taken care of and run smoothly. This includes communication and coordination with suppliers, design agencies, and photographers, as well as monitoring the planning and progress of projects, and overseeing finances.
Added value academic knowledge
The broad Arts & Culture studies at EUR have taught me a great deal of knowledge and skills that I now apply in my position as project manager. For example, in the community project I am currently working on, we think a lot about making art more accessible. My knowledge of cultural sociology is extremely useful in this regard. What is really good and unique about the Bachelor Arts & Culture Studies is that the curriculum also includes courses in economics and management, which has given me a lot of knowledge about budgeting and planning. This is now helping me in arranging the practical aspects of a project.
Advice for arts and culture students
Gain as much (practical) experience as possible and build a social network. For example, become a volunteer at a festival or organisation that you really like, or find a part-time job that is somewhat related to the direction you want to work in. Many cultural organisations need volunteers; this is an easy way to get a glimpse into a cultural institution and meet other people in the sector!
Plus, an internship is very helpful in gaining valuable work experience: this is a mandatory component of the bachelor's programme. It is an opportunity to develop yourself professionally and build your network with relevant people from the sector. This network is important for getting started in the cultural sector, especially if you want to work as a freelancer. Your network will help you find new assignments in the sector.