Is the Orientation course right for me?
The Orientation course is intended for people who are serious and motivated regarding visual resources, but do not yet have sufficient material for a portfolio. Participants are aged between 16 and 50.
What does the programme entail?
Throughout the year, you take course modules, each covering a specific area of the visual arts and design, such as drawing, painting, mixed media, design and sculpture. The course modules are taught by artists and designers who stimulate, coach and advise you. On the basis of weekly assignments, research and work meetings, you learn to reflect on your work, as well as on the visual arts and design in general. You also have the opportunity to work in the workshops and visit galleries and museums. You can also take theory lessons from the Gerrit Rietveld Academie, provided by Studium Generale Rietveld Academie (an extensive transdisciplinary theory programme that addresses students and faculty at all departments of the Gerrit Rietveld Academie).
How much time will I spend on the course?
The Orientation course starts at the end of September and runs until the end of April. During this time, classes are held on a total of 25 Saturdays. In addition to having classes at the academy on Saturday afternoons, you will work on a home assignment for about 1 half-day per week.
What are my options if I complete the Orientation course?
During the course, you will find out whether you want to study at an art academy, and whether you can apply for admission to the Gerrit Rietveld Academie or another art training course. During the course, you have the opportunity to participate in a preliminary, internal admissions round for the Gerrit Rietveld Academie; this will assess whether you are suitable for participation in the 2nd admissions round.
What language are the lessons taught in?
Since around a quarter of the participants are not Dutch, the classes are in English.
How do I apply?
Fill out your application here . After submitting your application, you will receive an automatic e-mail with a home assignment. About 5 days before the admission interview, you will receive an e-mail invitation confirming the time of your admission interview.
When are the admission interviews held?
In June. Note: If there are still course places available after the admission round in June, there will be an extra admission round in September. We will publish info on our website after the June admission round.
What should I expect at the admission interview?
The Orientation course is preceded by a selection process based on the work you bring and a conversation with a tutor. The work that you show can consist of sketches, doodles, drawings, photos, videos and spatial work, and it is important that you do the home assignment sent to you. We also ask you to write a short motivation in advance. Admission interviews will take place online when necessary.
What is the course fee?
The course fee for course year 2024-2025 is €1,295. The course fee for 2025-2026 has not been determined yet, and will be announced before the X-mas break.
PLEASE NOTE: the course fee must be transferred in one go (before the start of the course). It is not possible to pay in instalments. Participation in the Orientation course does not entitle you to student finance.
What’s an example of an assignment?
Assignments can be open or closed. We alternate this, because you may learn and work better with a closed assignment, while a classmate does better with an open assignment. An example for a sculpture or mixed media assignment is to make a three-dimensional object from a printed image, cut and folded. Another example is to make one working chair from two broken chairs.