An extracurricular programme in Minerva Art Academy
About
The Catalyst Club
Initiated in February 2019, The Catalyst Club aims to explore new perspectives on educating artists and designers in a globalized world and creates alternative modes of operating in higher art education. In weekly meetings with discussions, reading groups and other activities, the club generates spaces for sharing knowledge and developing actions using participatory practices.
One member defines the core values of the club as: "The shared responsibility to take care of the club’ in ‘an open and informal dynamics; we all try to look after each other." Another participant stated that: "Participants can be empowered to take charge of the curriculum or even the rest of their lives."
TCC has been developed as part of the PhD-research of Frederiek Bennema.
Participants
Students, alumni, tutors and various participants from a range of disciplines shape the group as co-explorers and catalystic equals on the existing playing field of the art academy. For many, this environment and its extensions are familiar grounds, for some, it is new terrain. Nonetheless, we all become educational architects within this space, and together by reading, discussing, and experimenting we explore, observe, and rethink the higher arts educational system.
