Professional collaborations between the arts and healthcare require particular knowledge and skills. The artist must understand what is happening on a ward or in a neighbourhood. The artist must know how to work safely with vulnerable people. The artist must make the connection between what art does and what care needs. Good education helps with that, at every stage of a career.
Arts in health is a new and fast-growing field in the Netherlands. The field needs professionals who are creative, entrepreneurial, and with a passion for both the arts and care. The emerging generation of Dutch arts in health professionals must work across disciplinary boundaries, and in a variety of care environments. A growing number of educational institutions are bringing students from the arts, healthcare, and social work together to share learning, conduct research, and gain practical experience to build the field.
What is an arts in health professional?
Arts in health professionals work at the intersection of the arts, healthcare, and social care. Because the field is multi-disciplinary and still evolving here, there is no single profile for a Dutch arts in health professional. A competency framework was drafted by a group of educators from around the country as a starting point for discussions about what an arts in health professional needs to know. Read more about the framework and download the full document in our article on arts in health competencies.
Arts in health education
Because the arts in health field is growing in the Netherlands, more and more universities, HBO’s and MBO’s are offering degree programs, minors, modules, and certificates on arts in health topics. These can be found in fields such as the visual arts, care ethics, nursing, spiritual care, and the medical humanities.
Examples include:
- The University of Groningen’s annual Arts in Health Summer School, combining practical and theoretical insights into participatory practice.
- The Prins Claus Conservatoire, which offers opportunities for education and research on music in health care.
- Creative Arts Therapy Netherlands, which offers certified programs for professionals who want to specialize in therapeutic applications.
- Online courses from University College London, King’s College London, and the Royal Society for Public Health.
Which programs and courses are available?
The Dutch arts in health education landscape has been documented, identifying both existing opportunities and the remaining educational gaps. Here you will find an overview of the current offerings (last updated: July 2026).
Arts in Health Netherlands
Arts in Health Netherlands connects people and organizations working to strengthen the field across the Netherlands. To help the field grow, we focus on four themes: practice, research, policy, and education. Each theme brings together people who contribute their expertise, experience, and networks. Together, we are building a strong foundation for arts in health in the Netherlands.
The Education Working Group currently includes representatives from:
- HKU University of the Arts Utrecht
- Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
- ROC of Amsterdam and Flevoland
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
- LKCA – Dutch Knowledge Institute for Cultural Education and Amateur Arts
- CliniClowns
- Codarts Rotterdam
- Arts in Health Groningen
Read more and get involved
- Books about Arts in Health
- Website Vaktherapie Nederland
- Culture for Health and Well-being Compendium
- Arts Council Ireland, Arts in Health Handbook
Want to contribute to the development of arts in health education in the Netherlands? The alliance is coming. Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed.