PhDArts- Doctoral Programme in Art and Design – Leiden University Academy of Creative and Performing Arts, in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Art (KABK) in The Hague

Institution providing the doctoral degree

Leiden University Academy of Creative and Performing Arts, in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Art (KABK) in The Hague

Location

Leiden | The Netherlands

Name of the PHD

PhDArts- Doctoral Programme in Art and Design

Research Clusters

Fine Arts – Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking, Drawing, Decorative Art, Scenographic Art
Performing Arts – Drama and Theatre Studies, Dance and Ballet, Performative Practices (Theory and/or Practice)
Multimedia Arts, Audio-visual Techniques and Media Production
Design – Graphic Design; Industrial Design; Fashion Design; Textile Design…
Art Curating

Duration

The PhDArts programme encompasses four years.

Public / Private institution

Public University

Financial terms of the PHD position

Self-funded PhD – you must provide both tuition and your own maintenance

It is important to know that many universities offer different funding options and public and private grants available to students who match the application criteria. Before applying, it is a good idea to check the institutions’ websites and inquire about the options available to you.

Many universities require applicants to pay fees such as matriculation or dissertation fees, even if they offer a fully funded programme with or without a stipend.

Fees:

PhDArts candidates pay an annual fee of €400 for facility costs made in the context of their PhD trajectory. For more information about the facilities covered under the fee, please visit Leiden University’s website.

Funding resources:

PhDArts does not award any scholarships or grants and cannot offer any financial support, except for limited reimbursement of travel costs.

Final output

The PhDArts programme aims to encourage research that is rooted in practice – commonly referred to as artistic research or practice-based research. If the applicant is accepted to the PhDArts programme, they should be aware that there is no single, universally accepted definition of practice-based research, whether in arts or in other creative disciplines. As a doctoral student engaging in practice-based research, the researcher will be adding to the body of work that helps to define what practice-based research is.

The artist/designer-as-researcher distinguishes themselves from other artists/designers by taking it upon themselves to make statements about their thinking process and the production of work. The researcher allows others to participate in this research process, entering into a discussion with others and opening themselves up to critique. The researcher seeks the discussion in the public domain. Without public discussion and the exchange with peers the research lacks its reason for existence. When this exchange takes place in an academic context, within the framework of research for a PhD as is the case with PhDArts, certain conditions apply. For example, the research needs to yield fresh insights, not merely into one’s personal work but into art or design in the broader sense as well. Supervision plays a crucial part in critically evaluating the contribution to the artistic domain. Language, in whichever way, plays an important part in the research. Without language it is impossible to enter into a discourse. Inventing a language which enables the researcher to communicate with others and which enables the evaluation of the research is as important as devising a viable research methodology.

How to apply

The yearly application deadline for PhDArts is 1 March. Accepted applicants can join the programme in September.
The application process consists of two phases. The first phase is the assessment of the applicant’s research dossier that is uploaded via the online application form. The research dossier will be assessed by an Advisory Group, with representatives from the Royal Academy of Art The Hague and Leiden University (Academy of Creative and Performing Arts). In the case of a positive assessment by the Advisory Group, the applicant enters the second phase of the application process, and is invited for an Entrance Examination. The Entrance Examinations take place at the Academy of Creative and Performing Arts in Leiden.
PhDArts does not engage in correspondence about the judgement of the Advisory Group with the applicant beyond the notification of the results.
THE RESEARCH DOSSIER
Applicants must put together a research dossier for the application procedure. The application must be written in English.
The research dossier consists of three elements:
1. Application form
2. Detailed curriculum vitae
3. Portfolio

GUIDELINES FOR PORTFOLIO
The portfolio should consist of a careful selection of materials that is representative of the artist’s or designer’s work. Applicants are free to decide whether to submit a general overview of their work or to select works and materials that are specifically related to the proposed research project. Applicants are themselves responsible for making a selection of their work.
The portfolio can contain a maximum of 20 images assembled in a PDF file. In addition, the portfolio can include a maximum of 3 videos. Please ensure that you do not exceed the maximum amount of images and videos when compiling your portfolio. In order to submit videos, please provide links to a digital platform, such as Vimeo, You Tube or your own website or blog, by including the URL address in the PDF file. If necessary, please provide a password. T
he following details must be included in the portfolio:
– Details of the portfolio submitted
– Title of each individual work
– Date of creation
– Format (material)
– Details on the nature of the work
The portfolio is submitted by uploading the PDF file to the online application form.

GUIDELINES FOR CURRICULUM VITAE
Please save the CV as a PDF file. Make sure that you address all the points below that apply to you in the order given.
– Personal details Give your title, name and surname, gender, date and place of birth, nationality, address, and website (optional).
– Higher Education Studies (Bachelor/Masters/professional diploma)
– Institution of Higher Education/University Date of graduating Main subject/discipline/thesis
– List any relevant subjects regarding your experience with Practice-as-Research Professional experience since graduating
– Give dates of your most important appointment(s) (as artist and/or teacher) and specify whether full- or part-time, tenured or fixed-term.
– Other professional activities. Include, for example, posts on committees, involvement in the organization of artistic events and membership of boards.
– Scholarships and prizes. List any artistic prizes you have won or scholarships/grants for which you have successfully applied.
– Major exhibitions/creations. Please include only the most relevant exhibitions/creations and mark those that are directly relevant to the proposed research. Describe their impact on your artistic and/or research field.
– References. Please give names and contact details of three referees who can be contacted by PhDArts and who can write knowledgeably about the quality of your artistic practice and research.
The CV is submitted by uploading the PDF file to the online application form.

QUESTIONS
PhDArts does not accept incomplete or late applications. PhDArts does not offer assistance during the application process. For practical questions the applicant can contact the coordinator of the programme by emailing: info@phdarts.eu.

Entry requirements

Applicants must have a Master’s of Arts degree or proof of study at a comparable level. English is the working language of PhDArts, and proficiency in both speaking and writing in English is required. The application should be written in English.
Because PhDArts is a practice-as-research doctorate, the applicant must first and foremost demonstrate that they are a highly accomplished practitioner in some aspect of the arts and/or design.
On a theoretical level, the applicant has to demonstrate that their ideas are already quite well-formed and that they have begun to place their own contribution within the context of existing research or innovative practice. The applicant will need to show a strong sense of intellectual curiosity and be able to justify what the urgency for this particular research is.
The PhDArts programme aims to encourage research that is rooted in practice – commonly referred to as artistic research or practice-based research. If the applicant is accepted to the PhDArts programme, they should be aware that there is no single, universally accepted definition of practice-based research, whether in arts or in other creative disciplines. As a doctoral student engaging in practice-based research, the researcher will be adding to the body of work that helps to define what practice-based research is. However, the PhDArts team has adopted a working definition of practice-based research, which the applicant should consider carefully when filling out section 2 of the application form.
The PhDArts working definition of practice-based research is: ‘Practice-based research, as applied to arts, is research in and through artistic practice and design (for example: fine arts, audiovisual art, design, interior architecture, hybrid forms and interdisciplinary work) where the researcher’s own practice and critical engagement are integral to the research subject, processes and outcomes. In a doctorate practice-based research, the researcher must therefore demonstrate a high level of artistic creativity, imagination and skill in order for the doctorate to make a substantial and original contribution to knowledge, understanding and art practice.’

As a guide to PhDArts applicants, the original shared ‘Dublin’ Descriptors of the 3rd cycle are set out here. Qualifications that signify completion of the 3rd cycle are awarded to students who:
1. Have demonstrated a systematic understanding of a field of study and mastery of the skills and methods of research associated with that field.
2. Have demonstrated the ability to conceive, design, implement and adapt a substantial process of research with scholarly integrity.
3. Have made a contribution through original research that extends the frontier of knowledge by developing a substantial body of work, some of which merits national or international refereed publication.
4. Are capable of critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of new and complex ideas.
5. Can communicate with their peers, the larger scholarly community and with society in general about their areas of expertise.
6. Can be expected to be able to promote, within academic and professional contexts, technological, social or cultural advancement in a knowledge based society.

Glossary (from the Original Shared ‘Dublin’ Descriptors)
1. The word professional is used in the descriptors in its broadest sense, relating to those attributes relevant to undertaking work or a vocation and that involves the application of some aspects of advanced learning. It is not used with regard to those specific requirements relating to regulated professions. The latter may be identified with the profile/specification.
2. The word competence is used in the descriptors in its broadest sense, allowing for gradation of abilities or skills. It is not used in the narrower sense identified solely on the basis of a yes/no assessment
3. The word research is used to cover a wide variety of activities, with the context often related to a field of study; the term is used here to represent a careful study or investigation based on a systematic understanding and critical awareness of knowledge. The word is used in an inclusive way to accommodate the range of activities that support original and innovative work in the whole range of academic, professional and technological fields, including the humanities, and traditional, performing, and other creative arts. It is not used in any limited or restricted sense, or relating solely to a traditional ‘scientific method’.
Doctoral students undergo an interim evaluation at the end of the first year of the programme. The Evaluation Committee (Board of Directors of PhDArts and team of supervisors) will decide whether or not the student can continue with the programme. A positive evaluation of the Interim Evaluation will result in the definitive enrolment in the PhDArts programme.