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Renske de Groot new director of HKU Fine Art

  • 18 januari 2022
From 1 April, HKU Fine Art has a new director: Renske de Groot (46). She succeeds Sigrid van Willigen, who has left HKU after eight years as director.
Renske de Groot new director of HKU Fine Art
De Groot has gained lots of experience in art education. She is currently the senior policy advisor at AHK (Amsterdam University of the Arts). Prior to that, she was a course leader at the Reinwardt Academy and Fontys. ‘I’m proud to be able to contribute to the future of a new generation of makers and art teachers at HKU. It’s my ambition that they can leave their course with the insight, knowledge and professional capacities to flourish in a challenging and rapidly changing professional field.’

HKU Fine Art is one of the schools at HKU. It trains students to become artists and teachers who fulfil a major role in the art and culture sector, drawing on their talent, professionalism and independent way of thinking. Besides Bachelor’s and Master’s courses, the school also provides foundation courses to introduce students to the courses on offer and eventually take the entrance exam for a Bachelor’s course of their choice. The school has a total of around 500 students and 60 members of staff.

Challenging times
At the Reinwardt Academy at AHK, the new director was the course leader of Bachelor of Cultural Heritage. She had previously held the same position at Fontys School of Fine and Performing Arts, on the Master of Art Education course. ‘It’s an exciting and challenging time for the art and culture sector, as well as for higher education. I’m really looking forward to taking up these challenges, along with a fantastic team, and to using my network and experience in both fields for a future-proof and more inclusive cultural sector.’

Heleen Jumelet, vice chair of the Executive Board of HKU, is enthusiastic about the arrival of De Groot. ‘I’m pleased that Renske is coming to join our ranks. She’s someone who enjoys taking responsibility and working together to create scope for the talent development of staff and students. She also has important experience and knowledge to share, has a sense of humour and is result-oriented. She’s currently working on finishing a thesis for Lamar University in the United States, about the use of technology in art education. And of course we’re looking forward to the result with great interest.’