Why this programme

Getting to know various disciplines

Getting a job in the arts and culture sector can be quite challenging. There are many great positions, but the competition is high. This makes it a challenging sector to start working in after your studies. I therefore decided to first expand and specialise my knowledge in the field of arts and culture after obtaining my bachelor degree in Arts & Culture.

I chose to study the master specialisation Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship at the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication, as it connected well with my bachelor's degree, and I could learn more about the various disciplines within the arts and culture sector. There was a wide range of electives, which made it not only possible to study the subjects that I was interested in, but also to look at the field from different perspectives.

Landing a job in the heritage field

During my bachelor and master, I always had an interest in heritage and followed electives that addressed this topic. When I finally started writing my master thesis, I chose to write about the reallocation of cultural heritage in the Netherlands. I had several conversations with heritage organisations. During one of those talks, I was offered a job, which made it possible for me to start working in the heritage field right after completing my studies.

After three years working as a property manager at a commercial heritage organisation, it was time to move to a position where I would be more substantively involved with heritage. And so it happened: since April 2024, I am working as a policy officer for the Municipality of Nissewaard.

Why I love my job! 

As policy advisor for monuments and heritage at the municipality, I deal with various tasks. Just a few examples; I am secretary of the Heritage Committee, I process and advise on applications for the subsidy for municipal monuments, and I think along about the future of church buildings within our municipality.

Working for a municipality also means that I get to work with different parties. One moment I am talking to the aldermen, and the next I am on-site talking to monument owners. This diversity in my work and environment, as well as being able to contribute to the preservation of heritage makes me really enjoy my job!

The master programme Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship taught me to be critical, but also to look at the bigger picture and think beyond what is in front of me. This is really helpful in my current position at the municipality. 

Choosing an Arts & Culture study programme

After high school and a subsequent gap year, I did not have a specific career path in mind. The only thing I knew is that I wanted to be involved in the cultural sector, as in my spare time I regularly went to the cinema, museums, concerts, and I enjoyed nightlife. I ended up studying the International Bachelor Arts & Culture Studies (IBACS) at Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR). Why I chose this study programme? That’s what you will read below!

The main reason for me to study IBACS was the broad approach of this bachelor programme, which is unique in the Netherlands. It allows you to study culture from different theoretical perspectives, from sociology to economics. In addition, studying on campus in an international environment really appealed to me. I thought learning in a classroom with students from all over the world, who all bring their own stories to the table, is extremely valuable - especially in the context of arts and culture. In retrospect, this certainly turns out to be true. The possibility to go on exchange was another important factor for me to choose IBACS. During my studies, I gladly made use of this opportunity by studying in Tokyo for six months.

Last but not least, I found the fact that this international programme is taught in Rotterdam a big plus. It is a super-diverse city home to many creative and talented people. The cultural and creative industries are vibrant and resilient, ranging from interesting established cultural institutions and world-renowned architecture firms to impactful grassroots initiatives. 

Job hunt

After completing my master programme Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship at EUR, I was ready to enter the labour market. I started looking for vacancies and applied to various cultural and government organisations in the Netherlands. In my search, I visited several places, such as museums, to discover whether I could envision myself working there. Besides that, I told my network – friends, family and acquaintances – that I was looking for a job. 

At some point the vacancy of Assistant to the Board of Directors at International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) caught my attention. The position matched my interest in the film industry, as well as my work experience, as I had previously completed an internship at a film production and distribution company. Since I was not exactly sure what specific direction would suit me when job hunting, I thought it would be a perfect starting position to get to know the insights of an organisation and develop myself professionally. Now I am working as Coordinator Funding and Private Partners at International Film Festival Rotterdam.  

Theory put into practice at IFFR

Together with three colleagues, I work in the Funding and Business Growth department at International Film Festival Rotterdam. I find it very valuable to work in a small team, as we exchange ideas and learn from each other's expertise and jointly contribute to improving the financial position of the organisation. The focus in my role is mainly on identifying funding opportunities, writing funding applications and relationship management. My role requires staying up-to-date on the (inter)national cultural funding landscape, creating and executing communication plans, and doing research.

My studies at the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication have backed me up with knowledge on the value of culture from different academic perspectives and deepened my understanding of the developments and mechanisms driving the cultural and creative industries. I literally put the academic theory I learned during my studies into daily practice when writing and brainstorming. The various group assignments during my studies have contributed to my ability to collaborate on projects at work. Different concepts covered during the courses, for example social impact and cultural participation, are important when thinking about organising and financing our activities. Here, the analytical and critical thinking skills I learned at the university, come in handy. 

Golden tip(s)

My first tip is to gain experience and practical skills outside your studies, by volunteering, working and/or joining an association. Most cultural events in Rotterdam simply cannot exist without their volunteers. The film festival, for example, would not take place without its 600 volunteers, many of which are – international – students. Through volunteering you get a behind the scenes experience and connect with fellow Rotterdam residents over a shared passion.

Secondly, the mandatory internship in IBACS is a great opportunity to find out where your qualities lie and to gain confidence in the professional field. This period helps to reflect and ask yourself questions to figure out in what field you want to enter the labour market. The internship also allows you to think about the kind of working environment that makes you thrive: a small or large organisation, hierarchical or more horizontal, and so on. 

Finally, and perhaps the most important tip: explore and enjoy all that the city of Rotterdam has to offer. The Rotterdam mentality is contagious. Try to look around and see what is happening in the city. Visit places that give you energy and inspiration. You never know who you will meet and what it can bring you. 

Having arrived from Spain over a year ago, my background in Business Management and my passion for art and music led me to choose the Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship master’s programme. I was looking for a career change that would bring me closer to my hobbies, and I can now confidently say it has exceeded all my expectations. 

Autonomy & Flexibility 

One of the things I like the most about the programme is the autonomy and flexibility it offers. Cultural and Creative Industries can be a broad theme, but the ability to choose topics of personal interest for assignments and the diverse range of electives available in the third term truly set this university apart. This flexibility not only allows the development of the student’s interests but also promotes an open learning environment. 

Bridging Culture and Business 

Coming from a classic business background, I truly appreciate how this programme bridges culture and business. Understanding the dynamics of the complex relationships between culture and economics is of great importance in an increasingly globalised world. The programme has provided me with the analytical tools and critical thinking skills necessary to navigate this sector.

Guidance & Support  

My journey has not been without its challenges. The transition from a traditional business mindset to a more creative and interdisciplinary approach required significant adaptation. However, with the support of my professors and classmates, I have been able to overcome these hurdles. Their guidance, especially during my thesis, has been invaluable. 

Additionally, life at Erasmus is full of activities and opportunities to connect with new students. Being an international student, this has made the move from Spain much easier. The Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship master programme has provided me with a high-quality education and served as a platform for personal and professional growth, making this year truly enriching.

Unique specialisation

The reasons why I chose Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship are multiple, but the most essential is its uniqueness. I compared many similar masters before applying at Erasmus University Rotterdam, and none offered me this blend of economics and entrepreneurship regarding the creative industries. The high consideration this master specialisation keeps in providing a variety of courses on subjects such as innovation, digitalisation, and sustainability played a significant role in my decision as well. I couldn’t be happier with my choice.

Despite some difficulties faced during the application process, the Erasmus Offices were always available to help me solve any issue. It’s a precious approach, everyone does their best to make the opportunity to study here as great as possible.

New skills and perspectives

Hence, all these aspects together made me conscious of how Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship would train me to be the most suitable candidate for a job in the creative field, as well as add new skills and perspectives which to my background that will last a lifetime.

I did my bachelor’s in management in the UK. After graduating, I spent one year at an art academy where I focused on developing my creative skills. I still wanted to do a master and thought that I wanted to combine my business studies with my creative interest and therefore, the master specialisation Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship seemed to be a perfect fit. And it has certainly proven to be so.

Economics in relation to the cultural sector

At first, it took me some time to get back into the field of economics because I only had economics for one semester during my bachelor. However, after engaging with the literature, I found it very interesting and stimulating to learn more about economics and relate it to the cultural sector. Therefore, the lectures, seminars, and various group assignments offer a perfect setting for discussion of the theory. When writing my essays, I am then able to focus on my field of interest. I am really looking forward to term 3 where I can focus even more on my specific interest within the seminar electives.

International classroom

What I like the most about Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship is the very international classroom. Everyone comes from a different background, but we all share the interest in art and culture and the eagerness to develop our knowledge about it.

Discovering & shaping my interest in the cultural sector

“As a student in the Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship Master’s degree programme I had many enriching and memorable experiences that I will cherish for a lifetime. The programme provided me with valuable knowledge on theory and research in cultural economics and cultural entrepreneurship and offered me the freedom to apply this knowledge to my areas of interest within the cultural sector. I particularly enjoyed learning about the societal impact of culture and exploring this in applied research during my academic experience. This also helped me discover my interest in the relationship between culture and regional development, and the facilitating role of public policy in the process. It is worth mentioning that the curriculum was highly demanding, making the programme challenging and intense at times. Nonetheless, there was much support available at all stages of the learning process. Apart from academic knowledge, all programme activities and assignments helped me grow on a personal level, by helping me develop valuable interpersonal skills, shaping my interests and by exposing me to a beautiful and diverse community of students and teachers.”

From music creation to implementing the Commission’s public policies

“Since finishing my studies in July 2021, I was fortunate to gain valuable work experience in both the public and the private sectors. Shortly after my graduation, I landed a full time position as an A&R for Global Records, the biggest independent music label in Romania. Here I contributed to the music creation and release processes by coordinating songwriting sessions according to the record label’s priorities, critically assessing and selecting music for releases. Being directly involved in the music making and release process was a unique and rewarding experience for me, and I was very happy to find that much of the knowledge and skills I gained during the master’s proved to be useful in my daily tasks, in particular with regards to strategy-making and critical analyses of potential releases.

More recently, I started a new position as a Blue Book trainee at the European Commission in Brussels, working for the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) towards implementing the Commission’s public policies relating to culture and education. I find this role incredibly rewarding and exciting as I get to contribute to the support of and to witness the progress of many initiatives that promote positive social development at European level through culture and education.

I owe my current role to my master’s experience, as it was through my studies that I discovered and developed a strong interest for the public cultural sector and a strong passion for facilitating positive societal impact through culture. The knowledge and skills I gained during my master’s studies motivated me to explore career opportunities in this direction and enabled me with the confidence to apply for this role.”

My advice

“If you are a current or prospective student for the Master’s programme in Cultural Economics & Entrepreneurship, I believe you chose or you are looking at a great place to cultivate your interest in the cultural sector. Take this as an opportunity to explore your career options in the cultural sector and to grow, both personally and professionally.“

Having completed my bachelor studies in International Business Administration and International Relations, as well as in Art History in my hometown Vienna, the master specialisation of Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship was to me the perfect study to connect with my interests and my prior education.

Practical application and contemporary outlook

Not only can I foster my understanding in contemporary arts and culture, but I also have the possibility to interconnect my knowledge in economics with a focus on the creative industries. Especially the practical application and contemporary outlook on this industry is a very interesting aspect of this study. Furthermore, I am looking forward to the third term, in which I can apply my acquired in-depth knowledge on real life cases and experience the societal impact cultural institutions have firsthand.

International environment

To me the Netherlands, particularly Rotterdam, is an ideal place to study the Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship, due to the international environment you live in, the active contemporary art scene and the diverse cohort you study with. It is not only during the courses you acquire important skills for the future, but you also learn salient insights from the students you study with, who derive from various and diverse backgrounds.

Cultural Industries

Principally, the course ‘Cultural Industries’ in term 1 brought me valuable expertise towards strategic thinking and problem solving with the help of case studies. This program strongly focuses on the economic approach on culture, without characterizing it as a mere economic product but rather integrating the importance of culture towards our society.

Struggles

As this study is actually completed within one year, some periods, especially the time frame towards the end of a block, can be rather stressful and demanding. However, good time management helps me to combat these periods.

Future Plans

As for my future plans, I am currently working at an art collective in the city of Rotterdam. And due to my background in art history, I am seeking to work in visual arts. For example, in a museum, a gallery, in art dealing or in a startup within this field.

I started with the programme Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship in 2011. It was the perfect master for me because of its international character (half of my classmates came from abroad) and the focus on entrepreneurship.

Besides the cultural sector I had an interest in researching the rise of the creative industries. This was also the area I graduated in, my Master thesis was about start-up incubation in the tech and creative industries. A subject that is still, and maybe even more, relevant today. I wrote my thesis in 5 months during my internship at Mediaguild, an incubator that was part of Waag Society.

After completing my Master, I worked as a consultant for many different companies in both the private and cultural sector, including the Rijksmuseum. I also founded a social enterprise that is aimed at teaching kids about entrepreneurship: Tom & Thomas. CEE definitely inspired me to start my own business.

At this moment I am about to embark on a new adventure in Rotterdam. I am actually going to work together with someone I met during my CEE research internship! We are founding a new company called the Prototype Hotel. Here we specialise in building innovative software in a matter of days instead of months.

Stumbling into the masters programme of Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship was like finding a needle in the haystack. With a bachelors in Journalism and masters in Communication from India and some experience interning with media, culture and information research centres, I was drawn towards the economic and business models of the cultural and creative industries. After hours of research on suitable study programmes abroad, I found that the masters at the Erasmus University would fit the bill.

A year down the line, first pursuing the pre-masters and now the masters, I can perhaps best describe my experience as the frog who got out of her well. Along with academic rigour, individual thinking and argumentation, practical application is highly encouraged.

Moreover, Rotterdam houses a vibrant international community and is a cauldron bubbling with various cultural activities, providing students like me with an apt environment to observe our study in practice. So where would I want to leapfrog from here? The course on international art markets had my interest piqued and in the future I would like to pursue a research on the same, with a focus on the Indian art market.

I started the master Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship because, after I had finished my studies at the Utrecht School of the Arts, I did not feel like entering the labour market and was looking for more deepening of my knowledge. Currently I am working at Douw&Koren Crowdfunding as Head of Special Projects. I am responsible for organizing Crowdfunding Day Europe, the largest crowdfunding conference in Europe. I also give workshops and presentations on crowdfunding to cultural institutions and non-profits.

The knowledge of money flows in the cultural sector and cultural policy that I have gained during my master makes that I easily connect with cultural institutions and am able to properly advise them on crowdfunding. In addition, the experience I gained as a student assistant of Prof. dr. Arjo Klamer by organizing the ACEI conference in Canada, proved to be a valuable basis for the many organizational challenges I face at Douw&Koren. Last but not least: during my masters programme I met many wonderful (international) people and made great friends - that's perhaps the most valuable of all.