HKU and University of Humanistic Studies sign covenant for artistic research

5 June 2023

'There is great promise in artistic processes for science'

HKU University of the Arts Utrecht and the University of Humanistic Studies (UvH) are perpetuating their strategic collaboration under the banner Meaningful Artistic Research. The goal is to conduct jointly inspired research that brings together approaches to art and science. To this end, Heleen Jumelet, chair of HKU's Executive Board, and Joke van Saane, rector and president of the board of the University of Humanistic Studies, signed a covenant during a festive meeting on June 5. 

"We have a lot of common ground," says Joke van Saane. "The research at the University for Humanistic Studies deals with urgent and topical questions in our society, such as the future of our democracy, the design of care practices and ethical questions around meaningful living. Art can make an essential contribution to these questions. We are therefore delighted to continue our cooperation with HKU on a structural basis." 

Heleen Jumelet: "This valuable structural collaboration is going to offer a lot: for the arts, society and science. By jointly realising PhD research on important issues that will teach us how art and research can contribute to meaningful impact on people and society."

Deepening, innovation and fundraising

HKU and UvH will promote research in which disciplines and approaches from both institutions come together and deepen each other. Thus, practical and making work can be part of a research project. The cooperation also aims at innovation in education, and both institutions see opportunities for joint fundraising at the intersection of art and science.

Merel Visse (Associate Professor at UvH ) and Nirav Christophe (Lecturer at HKU ) prepared the collaboration. Visse: "There is great promise in artistic processes for science because they advocate a broad view of our society. Art is not just 'fun', as famous arts educator Harry Broudy once argued. The arts are necessary for 'good' living together, because they help us think in new ways about how we do that, live together. Conversely, UvH researchers give depth to artistic practices with their approach to research."

Joint PhD research

Two joint PhD research projects have already started. Marloeke van der Vlugt is conducting artistic research to arrive at an 'aesthetics of touch' and also calls it Genees-Kunst. And Simona Kicurovska is researching modern design practices: how can designers continue to engage critically with automated design tools? At the celebratory event, both PhD students shared their work-in-progress and let participants experience the multifaceted added value Meaningful Artistic Research has to offer.

HKU University of the Arts Utrecht and University of Humanistic Studies are perpetuating their strategic collaboration under the banner Meaningful Artistic Research. The goal is to conduct jointly inspired research that brings together approaches to art and science.