WdKA Research Center focuses on ongoing transformations and shifts in arts and design practices in their relations to societal change. We observe, analyze, follow, and immerse ourselves, as practitioners, in these transformations. Through practice-based, artistic research with teachers, students and external partners, we translate our findings into renewed, timely art school curricula.
Research areas / LECTORATEN
The AUTONOMOUS PRACTICES research program investigates new concepts of “autonomy” in the arts that shift from, critically revise, or even break with, traditional Western notions of aesthetic and artistic autonomy.
The COMMERCIAL PRACTICES research program investigates how artists and designers can materialise and contribute to alternative modes of organisation and production based on strong ecological and cooperative/collaborative values.
The following research questions guide the SOCIAL PRACTICES research program: What are the shifts in values, practices, and infrastructures needed in the ways that we learn and live otherwise? How can cultural and artistic practices be constitutive tools used in an extended learning process to produce social change?
Within the LIVING STATIONS we question material practice within arts and design and investigate how to make and collaborate with ‘living’ and biological systems.
The Rotterdam Arts & Sciences Lab (RASL) is a unique collaboration between Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Willem de Kooning Academy-Piet Zwart Institute (Media, Arts, Design, Leisure), and Codarts University of the Arts (Music, Dance, and Circus Arts).
The RESEARCH STATION is the place within the Willem de Kooning Academy where research activities, education, sources, students, teachers, researchers, and other enthusiasts meet.
Research Support & Opportunities
The WdKA Research Center provides support in Bachelor, Master and doctoral supervision, offers pedagogical guidance, advises on studies at the 3rd cycle level, doctoral and postdoc research. The WdKA Research Center contributes expertise to working groups and committees in the development of curricula and research projects.
For more information please visit our FAQ page and our timeline.
CONTACT
WdKA Research Center is located inside the Research Station on the ground floor of WdKA’s main building.
Wijnhaven 61, 3011 WJ Rotterdam.
You can reach us by E-Mail:
wdka-research@hr.nl.
ACTIVITIES
New publication: Promiscuous Infrastructures: Practicing Care
The title “Promiscuous Infrastructures: Practicing Care” is published by the Promiscuous Care Study Group. Title launch on 17th May, 2024 at kiosk, rotterdam
05/17/2024 // 19:00
How to Continue Self-Organization – prep workshops
A series of workshops in preparation of the 25th April symposium How to continue self-organization?, for WdKA students and teachers.
04/17/2024 // 10:30
Traces Of Power- Talk – 07.03.24
03/07/2024 // 16:00
Counter-Mapping Autonomy workshop #2 – 29-02-2024
The second edition of the Counter-Mapping Autonomy workshop, guided by Argentinian collective Iconoclasistas, takes place on the 29th of February from 14h-18hrs, at WH.03.306, WdKA.
02/29/2024 // 14:00