Carlo Hoekerd

The management of culture

When I chose the International Bachelor Arts and Culture Studies (IBACS) programme at Erasmus University, I was looking for a way to connect my creative background with a deeper understanding of how culture is organized and managed. Having studied at the Royal Academy of Arts and Cibap Vakschool voor Vormgeving, my focus was initially on the artistic side of the creative industry. Over the past four years, my interest shifted toward cultural management and the strategies that drive the creative industries. IBACS provided the perfect environment to explore these intersections, equipping me with valuable skills for navigating the international cultural sector.

Societal challenges

What I love most about this programme is how we explore cultural institutions from economic, sociological, communication, and policy perspectives. We discuss how these institutions shape creative expression globally and connect these ideas to broader societal challenges. This has helped me view the cultural sector as a dynamic space where strategy and creativity work together to create meaningful change.

A new cultural mindset

Transitioning from a hands-on design education to a more analytical, management-focused programme wasn’t always easy. I had to adapt and develop a new mindset, learning to critically analyze the structures that support or limit artistic production. These challenges helped me grow, teaching me to approach problems in the cultural sector from a strategic and analytical perspective.

IBACS has shown me that cultural management is not just about running institutions—it’s about creating opportunities and ensuring that art and culture remain relevant and accessible. The programme has given me the tools to combine creativity with strategic insight, preparing me for a role in the world of arts and culture.