Secret Arts Teachers: Dutch art teachers turn classrooms into community art projects

Secret Arts Teachers (SAT), an initiative by the Amsterdam University of the Arts' lectorate of Art Education, presents three art teachers who transformed their classrooms into community art practices. Lola K., from a secondary school in Wijk bij Duurstede, addressed the social stigma of the 'losertrap' (loser stairs) in the canteen by having students design interventions like a slide, garden, or pool to change its status. Gina S., in Amsterdam, had havo students create a collective class uniform with hidden messages inside, inspired by an experiment by Pavèl van Houten. Diet B., in The Hague, made 'wasted time' visible by having students finger-hook colored threads representing their moods, resulting in long garlands. The works will be exhibited at Framer Framed in Amsterdam from September 12 to 27, 2026. The project highlights how open-ended assignments, informal education, and process-oriented teaching foster creativity and social bonding among students.