Secret Arts Teachers: Classrooms as Artistic Practice
The Secret Arts Teachers (SAT) project, initiated by the Lectorate of Arts Education at the Amsterdam University of the Arts, reimagines schools as sites for artistic experimentation. Launched in England, Belgium, Serbia, and the Netherlands, it called for adventurous art teachers to join a secret collective exploring intersections between their artistic and educational work. In the 2024-2025 school year, 20 Dutch primary and secondary school teachers met bi-monthly in Amsterdam, guided by Oskar Maarleveld, with inspiration sessions from artists Pavél van Houten, Lobke van Kommer, Evelien Kanters (Theater Artemis), Erik Schrooten, and Bert Appermont. The project uses the concept of 'Teacher as conceptual artist' (Lucero, 2011) and Wicked Arts Assignments to foster risk-taking and personal learning. Selected student works will be presented at Framer Framed from September 12 to 27, 2026, curated by Kevin van Braak. The teachers will introduce themselves via Mister Motley before the exhibition.
Key facts
- Secret Arts Teachers is an international project by the Lectorate of Arts Education at the Amsterdam University of the Arts.
- An anonymous call was made in England, Belgium, Serbia, and the Netherlands for adventurous art teachers.
- 20 Dutch teachers from primary and secondary education participated in the 2024-2025 school year.
- Bi-monthly meetings were held on Saturdays in Amsterdam, led by Oskar Maarleveld.
- Inspiration sessions were given by Pavél van Houten, Lobke van Kommer, Evelien Kanters (Theater Artemis), Erik Schrooten, and Bert Appermont.
- The project applies the 'Teacher as conceptual artist' theory by Jorge Lucero (2011).
- Wicked Arts Assignments were used to stimulate creativity with constraints.
- A group presentation of student work will be at Framer Framed from September 12 to 27, 2026.
- Kevin van Braak is the guest curator for the exhibition.
- The teachers will introduce themselves on Mister Motley before the exhibition.
Entities
Artists
- Oskar Maarleveld
- Pavél van Houten
- Lobke van Kommer
- Evelien Kanters
- Erik Schrooten
- Bert Appermont
- Kevin van Braak
- Emiel Heijnen
- Melissa Bremmer
- Sanne Kersten
Institutions
- Amsterdamse Hogeschool voor de Kunsten
- Lectoraat Kunsteducatie
- Theater Artemis
- Framer Framed
- Mister Motley
Locations
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands
- England
- Belgium
- Serbia