Are you fascinated by films, music or theater? Do you love to discuss what art is, how to interpret a particular movie, pop song and performance and to study the effects that media can have on our societies? Then Arts, Culture and Media should become your Bachelor's programme.
In our Bachelor’s programme students acquire a deepened analytical, historical and theoretical understanding of (a) two art forms chosen from film, music, theater/performance, visual arts or literature; and (b) specialized scholarly knowledge in one of two frameworks: ‘Arts, Policy and Cultural Entrepreneurship’ or ‘Analysis and Criticism.’ This broad multi- and interdisciplinary combination makes it unique.
Studying works of art like music videos, novels or computer games in a scholarly way – how they are produced, distributed, used, perceived, appreciated and how they function socially – this is what our Bachelor’s programme is about. It thus paves the way for a variety of professional avenues into the field of arts and media. Our students have found jobs as critics, scholars, curators, organizers of art events, members of art councils and many more.
In our programme students enrol in one or two of the arts disciplines offered by our own department: Film, Theater, Music. Literature and Visual Arts can be chosen as second arts discipline only.
Please see our blog on recent topics concerning the arts in society: http://artsinsociety.eu/
Hi there! My name is Giulia Cristofoli and I am an Arts, Culture and Media (ACM) student specializing in Theatre and Literature. I am from Brazil and this is my 3rd year living in Groningen. Asides from my studies, I work part-time, but I have also started an art magazine. My favourite hobby is taking dance lessons. I also enjoy reading, spending my days in the sun and hanging out with my friends.
What attracted me to ACM was the variety of topics covered by the course. I love art in general and I found it difficult to only focus on one discipline. The programme allowed me to choose two art disciplines to delve deeper without letting go of the others. It was the perfect opportunity to investigate the world of art in a broader context and still get into specifics on my preferred topics. The way the course was organized enabled me to first get a taste of the options and then choose within my range of interests. Not to mention that ACM was a way for me to stay close to what I love – art – without necessarily having to produce art (let us just say that I am not a gifted artistic genius).
Read more about Giulia and why she chose to studie Arts, Media and Culture in Groningen!
Hello! My name is Andreea and I am from Romania. I study Arts, Culture and Media with a specialization in Music and Film. If I am not studying, you will probably see me enjoying an artistic event or volunteering at a cultural or student organization. I am interested in a variety of topics, from law to religion to fashion, so if you need a conversation partner, do not hesitate to contact me!
I chose to study Arts, Culture and Media because I have always been interested in art although I was never the best at creating it. I could spend hours on end at an art gallery even if my painting skills were never above average and I wholeheartedly appreciate early rock music despite the fact that I cannot play an instrument. Consequently, this degree represented the perfect way for me to establish a relationship with art and to be able to approach it from a theoretical standpoint, inevitably deepening my passion for it.
Self-development outside your studies
‘I think it’s important to gain a practical
understanding of the arts world. That’s why I did (and still
do!) volunteer work at several art institutions alongside studying
for my Bachelor’s degree. I was also actively involved in IK,
the ACM study association, as the secretary of the Museum
Committee, and as chair of the Party and Introduction committee
I’ve organized several parties and the introduction camp.
That was so much fun. As one of the international student
ambassadors for ACM I inform prospective international students
about the programme. Last month I went to a recruitment fair in
Germany.
I have learned a lot from being actively involved in the study
programme, the association and the Faculty – not only by
working in a project team, but also by chairing a committee,
monitoring its tasks and being responsible for an activity.
Groningen is a lively city with a rich cultural life and there is
always something to see and experience. All the culture, sport and
leisure facilities and amenities provide excellent opportunities
for self-development outside your studies.’
I chose to study Arts, Culture and Media as I've always had a keen interest in art history and the creative machineries that make daily life so much more interesting. After trailing down various paths in life, studying other courses and working in a professional environment, I decided to follow my passion and it proved to be the most challenging of them all. The Arts aren't a rigid set of rules - unlike other studies which I have done- therefore learning it is completely at your own capacity to understand it. This promotes independence and thinking critically about what you are learning.
My time at BNN taught me how to work hard and accurately in an informal atmosphere and how a public broadcasting company operates. I acquired new skills, such as writing press releases and dealing with audience reactions. I also discovered my strengths and weaknesses and decided which direction I want to take after I graduate.
I would advise other students to do a placement because it gives you a unique opportunity to look behind the scenes of a potential working field. Apart from acquiring new skills, you also find out whether a particular sector lives up to your expectations. But the most important thing is that you can build up a network, which will stand you in good stead in the future.
There’s always something going on at BNN: from an evening recruiting subscribers at the Kamasutra fair, to supervising the press backstage during the Golden Oldies concert in Koninklijk Theater Carré, to getting Rihanna to do a BNN promo on Facebook. I was particularly proud to see my own press releases in the newspapers, on nu.nl and broadcast on NOS op 3 and the like. But I certainly won’t forget the ‘regular’ hours in the office either.
I’m really happy with my choice!
After studying Nursing for two years, I decided to rekindle my dormant interest in art and culture. I moved from Elburg to Groningen, and started the degree programme in Arts, Culture and Media. The programme is theoretical in nature, but motivates you to discover the practical applications, and offers you the opportunity to explore the various artistic disciplines in depth. In addition, you also follow course units in sociology and philosophy, for instance. ACM is tougher than it sounds, but with some commitment on your part, it’s perfectly possible to combine it with other activities. For example, I’m the PR Officer for the Party and Introduction Committee of the study association, where I’ve met lots of cool people from many different countries. I’m really happy with my choice!
‘I work as a programmer and decide the artistic policy of the Felix Meritis cultural centre, as well as the theatre programme for the Welcome to the Village festival. My job is to ‘know what’s going on’, not only in the artistic world but also in society as a whole. I am continuously busy creating links between current affairs, artists, the works and the audience. On a practical level, this means I go to a lot of performances, read blogs, newspapers and specialist literature, and invest in a professional network. Programmers are also constantly working on fundraising, marketing and communication, finances and internal policy. The programme was absolutely essential to my work; as well as a thorough knowledge of theatre, it also provided me with a sociological and philosophical foundation. It’s precisely that link with other parts of society that you need to create a relevant artistic programme.’
Volunteer at the safety collection of the EYE Film Museum in Amsterdam
Studying film in Groningen gives you so many opportunities to broaden and/or deepen your interest in the field. Attending the Summer Film School in Antwerp, volunteering at the university's film archive and enjoying the support of dedicated staff members really helped channel my career orientation.
ERASMUS exchange student from Complutense University Madrid
I highly recommend the Film and Media Studies department at the University of Groningen. I was a visiting student here in 2014, and I had the chance to study film in all its variants, focusing on theory and history, analyzing movies, and making an audiovisual essay. I couldn't like it more! What impressed me in particular was the enthusiasm of the professors and their assistants in teaching as well as their domain of the subjects. They also created extracurricular activities and the classes were equally effective in both practice and theory. I felt really welcomed by the whole department and therefore I highly recommend you to study there. If film is the field you would like to make yours and you have the opportunity to do so, go ahead!
Freelance writer for De Filmkrant and Moviescene.nl, editor for Stand van Stad (The film edition), contributor to Movie Insiders podcast, Cineragua Festival, Glasnost Radio
For me, studying in the Film and Media Studies program was a way to use my already existing love for film, and mould that into a theoretical framework. I was challenged to dismantle movies, and put them together again. I still use these academic theories and techniques in my work as a film critic. You learn to watch film in another, elaborate way.
Are you at secondary school and want to know what studying at university is like? The Arts, Culture and Media programme is offering a web class! This online course from the University of Groningen is specially designed for secondary school students.
If you are interested in an Arts, Culture and media web class, register here.