Willem de Kooning Academy Rotterdam

People are at the core of our Academy. We position ourselves as a place of communality, where individual contributions evolve into something greater. Our creative practices resonate within and outside our walls, empowering students and staff to act with care for the planet and contribute in novel ways to shaping an interconnected and inclusive world. Our values ground our community, inform our decisions, and guide our actions. Rooted in communality, they inspire us to make, to be present, and to share perspectives: Making Matters A learning-by-making attitude shapes how we work and learn together. Prototyping as an iterative process helps us reflect on tangible, digital, and embodied ways of making. It is driven by our Maker Stations and interdisciplinary research activities. This reflection also leads us to embrace practices of remaking and unmaking, to critically question the why and what of cultural production. Being Present We are aware of and responsive to the diverse communities within our Academy and beyond. By making space for one another, we take care of our relationships. We show up and cultivate a sense of responsibility, accountability, and reciprocity within the Academy, in the city of Rotterdam, and across wider society. We thoughtfully and critically engage with the world around us, including both human and non-human actors. Sharing Perspectives We come together across differences and similarities. Through collaboration and open dialogue, we listen to each other, learn together, and actively contribute to reducing inequality of opportunities. While critically reflecting on our positions, we create space for curiosity and understanding. We share our practice and research publicly, encouraging a culture of exchange that values diverse perspectives from both inside and outside the Academy.