ArtEZ professor Jeroen Lutters retires after shaping contemporary art education debate

ArtEZ University of the Arts professor Jeroen Lutters will retire on June 12 after twelve years leading research and discussion around art education, creative learning and the role of imagination in teaching future artists and designers.

The farewell event, taking place at ArtEZ in Arnhem, will also mark the presentation of three new publications exploring art, education and human development. Throughout his academic career, Lutters became known for advancing concepts such as “art-based learning,” the “artist educator,” and alternative approaches to higher education that position creativity as central to learning rather than supplementary to it.

Rethinking how artists and designers are educated

During his time at ArtEZ, Lutters argued that art should function as a foundation for education itself, influencing how students think, collaborate and engage with society. Through the Art Education as Critical Tactics (AeCT) research group, he contributed to discussions about how arts education can move beyond technical training to include reflection, experimentation and social engagement.

His work has influenced both Dutch and international conversations around creative education, particularly at a time when many art and fashion schools are reconsidering how to prepare students for rapidly changing cultural and professional environments.

Publications focused on learning through art

Among the new books presented at the farewell is Art-Based (Un)Learning. Unexpected Dialogues with Artworks, a collection examining how art can generate knowledge and alternative forms of learning by challenging traditional educational structures.

Another publication, The Poetry of Existence. Past Passages, explores the role of artistic thinking and meaning-making in contemporary society, while Rothko in St Ives reflects on personal experience, visual culture and mortality through the work of artist Mark Rothko.

Together, the books continue themes central to Lutters’ academic work: creativity, critical inquiry and the relationship between art and lived experience.

Influence on future creative education

Lutters’ departure comes at a moment when art, design and fashion education institutions are increasingly focused on interdisciplinary learning, emotional intelligence and socially engaged practice. His emphasis on imagination and encounter reflects broader shifts within creative education, where students are encouraged to combine technical skills with critical and cultural awareness.

Although retiring from his formal role, Lutters said he intends to continue researching and writing during what he describes as a “third phase of life,” focusing on reflection, family and future publications.

His legacy at ArtEZ remains closely tied to the idea that education for future artists and designers should not only teach professional skills, but also foster new ways of understanding creativity, society and human connection.