Arts, Culture and Media

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.’

About Andreea

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!

Why Arts, Culture and Media?

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.

Read more about Andreea Dascalu and why she chose to study ACM in Groningen!

Questions? Send Andreea an e-mail!

‘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.

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.

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!

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 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.

Read more about Neesha and why she chose to study Arts, Culture and Media in Groningen.

Questions? Send Neesha an email!

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.