Charlotte Ben Gershon
Centre for Teaching & Learning Coordinator
Charlotte is responsible for establishing the Centre for Teaching & Learning at ArtEZ. What kinds of training does the ArtEZ staff need? How can you organise this training smoothly? Below, Charlotte explains how she manages this and what opportunities ArtEZ can offer in this regard.
Professionalising ArtEZ
I am setting up the Centre for Teaching & Learning (CTL) at ArtEZ with two colleagues, focusing on professionalisation. Already, ArtEZ's academies are transforming themselves professionally in various ways. What we are doing now is identifying exactly which areas need professionalisation the most, so we can start centralising wherever possible. In addition, we are trying to identify our staff’s learning needs in order to start building an attractive, fully-fledged professionalisation programme. The goal, of course, is to share as much knowledge and experience with each other as possible. I am looking forward to it; I can already picture what our Centre for Teaching & Learning will look like and what it will mean for ArtEZ.
In need of a new challenge
Before starting this position, I worked in the administration department of another university of applied sciences. At one point, that academy ran so smoothly that I was ready for a new challenge, and I wanted to continue working at an educational organisation. Earlier in my career, I was working in the commercial sector, and the pressure of meeting goals and conversion targets no longer appealed to me. The great thing about working at an educational institution is that you are working with people who are very committed to their profession. Everyone at ArtEZ really puts their heart into their work. Moreover, we are all doing our part for the younger generation’s future. My personal involvement is more indirect, but in my position I also feel that everything is about creativity, art and the future. My colleagues are passionate and very committed to their work.
'I was very pleasantly welcomed, which made me feel comfortable very quickly.'
Art and professionalisation
What I like about ArtEZ is the flat organisational structure that creates a pleasant, informal work atmosphere. At the moment, I’m working with a wide range of my colleagues to determine how we want to shape the CTL. My colleagues involve me in many things that may be of interest to the CTL, which is wonderful! Everyone is helpful and thoughtful. I was welcomed very pleasantly, which made me feel comfortable very quickly. Sometimes, however, it can be a challenge that art is always the first priority. This of course is a good thing and makes sense for the kind of organisation ArtEZ is, but working for a large organisation also requires utilising skills not often found in artistic structures. It’s up to us at the CTL to create attractive programmes that lie at the intersection of art and professionalism.
'I can already picture what our Centre for Teaching & Learning will soon look like and what it will mean for ArtEZ.'
Leveraging staff knowledge
Besides taking stock of the professional needs within ArtEZ and the programmes we already have, I am bursting with ideas for the future! I believe that learning should be fun. There are various ways to achieve this: a programme’s subjet matter may be interesting to you or a specific training course may be of special assistance to your professional and/or personal development. On top of that, I can picture a future with mindfulness training offered at ArtEZ, or something in the way of meditation or self-guidance. Regardless of our programmes, the fact that ArtEZ offers its staff the opportunity to attend these programmes ensures good connection within the workplace and best practices in employment. Ideally, I would also like to start using my colleagues’ diverse knowledge in the training courses we offer at some point. This would truly make us the learning organisation we aspire to become.
'The fact that ArtEZ offers its staff the opportunity to attend such courses ensures we are applying best practices for employment.'
Will you join us?
Can you identify yourself with the art education as valued by ArtEZ? If so, come and join our teams of support staff, academic staff or researchers.
Please find our current vacancies on this page.
