Materials in Artistic Practices (MAPs)
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
The Materials in Artistic Practices (MAPs) program is a two-year, full-time Master of Arts degree taught in English in Groningen. It's a practice-based, process-driven program exploring sustainable practices, material alternatives, and the interaction between physical structures and personal presence. The program emphasizes experimentation, adaptation, and integration of theoretical insights into practical work. Students are encouraged to develop a unique and informed creative vision, with a focus on sustainability and ethical considerations in material choices.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Materials in Artistic Practices (MAPs) program is a two-year, full-time Master of Arts degree (120 ECTS) taught in English in Groningen. It's a practice-based, process-driven program exploring sustainable practices, material alternatives, and the interaction between physical structures and personal presence. The artistic research focuses on the impact and agency of materials, adding depth to the practice without concentrating on products. The program invites students to investigate materials beyond their functional role, uncovering their ethical dimensions, physical impact, and transformative potential. Students explore sustainable alternatives, material resilience, and the creative possibilities of constructive deconstruction. The artistic journey emphasizes process, awareness, and transformation rather than solely end products. The program aims to enable students to bring new layers of meaning into their practice. It encourages students to view materials not merely as tools but as active carriers of meaning, historical context, and ethical implications integral to their artistic vision.
Outline:
Year 1:
The first year explores the complex world of materials, focusing on artistic research and reflection. Key elements include Lab Weeks and What Matters sessions (roundtable discussions, seminars, and sessions on the artistic research process). Lab Weeks involve exploring sustainable practices (e.g., developing eco-friendly pigments, experimenting with unconventional materials), gaining insight into environmental impact and artistic potential. These weeks emphasize hands-on experimentation, testing, adapting, and reinventing traditional practices to understand how materials influence artistic intention. Roundtable discussions, seminars, and artistic research sessions foster critical dialogue and reflective exchange, addressing ethical dimensions of material choices (sustainability, toxicity, ecological footprint). These sessions encourage feedback from peers and faculty. The curriculum also includes guest lectures, specialized workshops, and unique topics introducing new frameworks and innovative techniques, enhancing the conceptual depth of the practice and integrating broader social, cultural, and environmental contexts. Throughout the year, students engage in a continuous Artistic Research Process, documenting findings and reflections, presenting insights at various stages.
Year 2:
The second year synthesizes the first year's explorations into a cohesive artistic vision, culminating in a graduation project and thesis. The focus shifts to intensive studio work, refining materials and techniques using practical experiments and theoretical insights. However, it mentions the presentation of findings and reflections at various stages throughout Year 1, and the culmination in a graduation project and thesis in Year 2. The assessment likely involves evaluating the artistic process, the final project, and the accompanying thesis.
Teaching:
The program uses a practice-based, process-driven approach. Teaching methods include Lab Weeks, What Matters sessions (roundtable discussions, seminars, and sessions on the artistic research process), guest lectures, specialized workshops, and individual studio work. The faculty includes core faculty members (Linde Ex, Marcel van Kan) and other instructors (Michal Kruger). The program fosters critical dialogue and reflective exchange through discussions and feedback from peers and faculty.
Other:
The program is offered at the Academie Minerva, part of the Hanze University of Applied Sciences. The program emphasizes sustainability and ethical considerations in material choices. Students are encouraged to develop a unique and informed creative vision. The program's location is Groningen.
Introduction to Hanze UAS
Hanze University of Applied Sciences, located in Groningen, Netherlands, is the largest university of applied sciences in the northern Netherlands. Established in 1986, it was formed through the merger of several professional education institutes, the oldest of which is the Academy Minerva, founded in 1798. Hanze UAS offers a wide range of bachelor’s, master’s, and professional programs in fields such as business, engineering, health, arts, and communication. The university is known for its practice-oriented education, strong industry connections, and international focus.
International Environment
With students from over 80 nationalities, Hanze UAS fosters a multicultural and inclusive environment. The university has partnerships with 260+ institutions worldwide, enabling students to participate in exchange programs and international research projects. Additionally, Hanze UAS is part of the Erasmus+ program, further promoting global mobility and collaboration.
Research and Innovation
Hanze UAS is a leader in applied research, with a focus on areas such as sustainable energy, healthcare, and creative industries. The university collaborates with industry leaders and regional organizations to address real-world challenges. For example, the Hydrohub MegaWatt Test Centre focuses on green hydrogen innovation, while the Jean Monnet Chair in Sustainable EU Economy promotes research on sustainable economic practices.
Campus and Facilities
The main campus, Zernike Campus, is located in Groningen and houses state-of-the-art facilities, including modern labs, studios, and research centers. The campus is shared with the University of Groningen, creating a vibrant academic community. Hanze UAS also has facilities in Assen, Leeuwarden, and Amsterdam, specializing in areas like technology and pop culture.
Student Life and Support
Hanze UAS offers a personalized learning experience with small class sizes and a student-to-teacher ratio of 8.75:1. The university provides extensive support services, including career guidance, internship placements, and academic advising. Students can also participate in sports, cultural events, and student organizations, enriching their university experience.
Employability and Alumni Network
Hanze UAS boasts a high employability rate, with most graduates securing jobs in their chosen fields. The university’s strong ties to industry provide students with internship opportunities and access to a network of 21,500 alumni. Notable alumni include Wim Crouwel (graphic designer) and Kimberley Bos (Olympic bobsledder).
Why Choose Hanze UAS?
- Practice-oriented education with integrated internships and real-world projects.
- International exposure through exchange programs and global partnerships.
- Strong industry connections and high employability rates.
- Vibrant student life in Groningen, one of the most student-friendly cities in the Netherlands.
Entry Requirements:
To be admitted to the Materials in Artistic Practices (MAPs) Master's program, applicants generally need:
- A Bachelor's degree/level: Students must possess a Bachelor's degree in media, art, design, or related fields, or a Bachelor's level of skills with significant (work) experience in artistic contexts.
- Portfolio: Applicants must submit a portfolio clearly showcasing their process and the characteristics of their artistic practice.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
English language proficiency must be demonstrated through an IELTS, TOEFL, or Cambridge test. Minimum requirements are:
- International IELTS test: A minimum overall score of 6.0 (with a maximum of two subscores of 5.5, and an average score of at least 6.0).
- International TOEFL test: Internet-based TOEFL: score of 80; Paper-based TOEFL: score of 550.
- Cambridge: FCE level C (169-172). Exemptions from a language proficiency test exist for:
- Students with a degree from an English-speaking institution within the EEA who can prove their previous education was fully conducted in English (requiring a signed and stamped statement from the institution).
- Students whose previous education was in English and who obtained their degree in Australia, Canada (English-speaking part), Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the United States of America.
