Artistic Research - Valorisation of artistic output

Photo: Ksenia Obukhova

Since the academisation of higher arts education, the number of artist-researchers and PhDs in the arts in Flanders has been growing, with an increasing structural embedding (journals, conferences, FWO funding for Schools of Arts). Nevertheless, the assessment of research-based artistic output (artworks as research outcomes) remains a topical issue, as it is difficult to fit within the traditional, standardised peer-review and impact models of the academic world.

An earlier Flemish initiative (ECOOM/VUB) to centrally register research-based artistic output illustrates the complexity of developing a widely supported registration model. The recent South African approach, developed by thinker Mario Nell, serves as an important source of inspiration in this regard. Other international models, such as portfolio assessments in Anglo-Saxon countries, also offer relevant starting points for continuing the search for appropriate and equivalent recognition of non-standardised research output.

In 2026, the Young Academy, in collaboration with the Arts Class, is organising a joint ‘Thinker’s Cycle’ on the theme of ‘Artistic Research – valorisation of artistic output’.

The initiators are JA members:

• Kurt Bertels, senior researcher at the Royal Conservatoire of Brussels (Erasmus University College Brussels) and professor of artistic research at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel
• Maarten Stragier, senior researcher at the Royal Conservatoire of Brussels (Erasmus University College Brussels) and professor of artistic research at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel
• Annelies Van Assche, art historian at Ghent University and lecturer in dance research at the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp (AP School of Arts)

In juni brachten deze JA-leden denker Mario Nell naar Brussel, om samen met de onderzoekshoofden van de kunsthogescholen in Vlaanderen en hun universitaire partners, een week lang te werken rond dit thema. De deelnemers van de werkgroepen waren:

In June, these JA members brought thinker Mario Nell to Brussels to spend a week working on this theme alongside the heads of research at the arts colleges in Flanders and their university partners. The participants in the working groups were:

Florian Vanlee (Ghent University)
Katrien Vuylsteke Vanfleteren (KASK Conservatoire, HOGENT School of Arts)
Kristin Van den Buys (Royal Conservatoire of Brussels/VUB)
Dieter De Vlieghere (LUCA School of Arts/KU Leuven)
Kevin Voets (Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp, AP School of Arts)
Jan Van Landeghem (KVAB Arts Class)
Christel Stalpaerts (Ghent University)
Pieter Schuermans (LUCA School of Arts/KU Leuven)
Els De Bruyn (Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp/AP School of Arts)
Ellen Gillard (RITCS/VUB)
Bert Willems (PXL/Hasselt University)

In 2026, the Young Academy, in collaboration with the Arts Class, is organising a joint ‘Thinkers’ Cycle’ on the theme of ‘Artistic Research – the valorisation of artistic output’.

The results of these working sessions will be presented for the first time at the afternoon symposium on Wednesday 21 October 2026 (14:00 – 17:00) in the Music Studio at deSingel. Register here.

The aim of this Thinkers’ Cycle is to formulate recommendations that are both institutionally feasible and have broad support within the Flemish research community, using international coordination as a lever to engage with universities and the FWO. Furthermore, the debate may provide broader inspiration for the recognition of non-standardised knowledge output in other disciplines.

With the support of the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp (AP) and ARIA (University of Antwerp), as part of ARTICULATE – artistic research festival.