Margreet Koopman
Management assistant
After training as a PR assistant, she deliberately chose to work through a temping agency for a while, taking on various secretarial roles to build up her experience. She eventually landed a permanent position with an accountancy firm, where she stayed for several years. In September 2018, she joined ArtEZ: "It was quite a change - from a corporate office to an art school!"
A day of changing gears
I've always been drawn to education because it's so dynamic. There's always something going on, and working with young people brings so much energy. So when a good friend of mine mentioned a job opening for a management assistant at the ArtEZ, I knew I was ready for a change. I am currently assisting the Academy of Theatre & Dance, mainly supporting the director. I remember the first week she wondered if she really needed someone to manage her schedule. But by the end of the week, she completely understood why! Managing her complex calendar requires serious planning - it is practically a full-time job. It's also helpful for people to have a contact person if they need to reach her for any reason, and this is where I come in.
"No two days are the same. I really enjoy the last-minute challenges."
Thriving in the moment
I also support the heads of the various departments, especially as they're often involved in national networks. I organise and plan their meetings, take minutes and do the same for our weekly Academy meetings. I also produce newsletters, handle HR updates, liaise regularly with the Executive Assistant and cover for other assistants when needed. Planning skills are essential in this role and being able to think on your feet is a real advantage. Every day is different, but I love the unpredictability - for example, putting together a meeting at the last minute or finding room in the diary for something urgent. Luckily, a colleague does the room bookings - that's a job in itself!
"Art education is sometimes presented as romantic, but in fact we're just running a professional organization together."
A vibrant workplace with plenty of buzz
Going from an accountancy firm to a university of the arts has been a huge change for me. The sensory overload is much greater here! I work in the Theatrium, an underground building that houses studios and three theatres. There's music from dance classes, workshops and students practising all around you. It took some getting used to, but now when I work from home, as I did during the pandemic, I really miss it. The variety of my work, combined with the vibrant environment, makes this such a fulfilling place to work. Art education may seem glamorous, but at the end of the day we're running a very real, professional organization.
"The flexibility here is fantastic. Whether I need to run an errand or pick up my child unexpectedly, there's a lot of trust".
A trusting and dynamic environment
We trust each other's expertise and the flexibility here is incredible. I can easily pop out to do a quick errand or pick up my child if something comes up and I never have to worry about it. There's also a lot of room for personal development - whether that's through sustainable employability hours, professional development opportunities or taking a course. I still feel there's so much to learn on the job. Since I've been here it feels like I've had three different jobs: first I assisted a director who left after a year, then I assisted five heads of department who stepped in temporarily, and now I've been working for the current director for four years. Each year has been completely different. The dynamic environment I hoped for when I joined? It's definitely here!
"There is so much room for development, be it through employability hours, professional development or additional training."
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.
