INTRODUCTION CvA STRATEGY 2024-2029
With its strategy, the Conservatorium van Amsterdam (CvA) sets its sights on providing a clear direction for the future. It outlines the direction it intends to pursue and the areas it aims to develop over the coming years. It represents a proverbial mark on a five-year horizon for the CvA as an educator, employer, and institution within society.
In recent times, accreditations have served as key milestones, providing opportunities for critical internal reflection and forward-looking assessments with panels. However, during accreditations, the different programmes are evaluated separately, and there is limited focus on the institution as a whole.
The CvA is part of the Amsterdam University of the Arts (AHK), which comprises six academies, each with its unique character, supported by the Service Bureau. This structure offers numerous practical benefits in areas such as HR, housing, and procurement. More importantly, it provides substantial value in terms of education and research.
There is close collaboration within the university, aiming not only to work together within the universal research groups and joint Master’s programmes but also to stimulate interdisciplinarity in a broad sense while preserving the individuality and specific qualities of the academies.
The AHK, as an umbrella organisation, has its strategic plan, with the individual academies being co-owners of the objectives. Naturally, there is
significant overlap in many areas, as outlined in this document. However, the academies are also required to independently map out their own strategic objectives.
This strategy results from an integrated view of the CvA. It underscores the ambition of the CvA to further strengthen its role in the social field in the coming years.
This ambition requires an updated mission and vision and a (multi-year) strategy. In the autumn of 2022, a process began involving numerous discussions with students, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders, resulting in an initial draft strategy. This draft was extensively discussed within the organisation throughout 2023 and further refined into the mission and vision as presented in this plan.
The updated mission and vision form an important foundation for the refined strategic objectives in this document. The objectives provide direction for policy and activities over the next five years. At the same time, we must recognise that we are operating in a dynamic world, where change is the only constant. Discussion, dialogue, and critical questioning are naturally of great importance as we move forward.
This document introduces the updated positioning, mission, and vision, followed by the strategic objectives, the core values of the organisation, and the method of implementation.
PREFACE
In 2024, the Conservatorium van Amsterdam celebrates its 140th anniversary. In 1884, Johannes Brahms was 51 years old, Gustav Mahler was in his twenties, Stravinsky was still in nappies, and it would be several more decades before Dmitri Shostakovich was born. It’s an understatement to say that over the past fourteen decades, music and the role of music in society have undergone drastic changes.
Today, the Conservatorium van Amsterdam stands among the world’s top conservatoires, offering degrees in a diverse range of musical genres: classical, early music, opera, jazz, pop, and electronic music. Additionally, we offer a Music in Education Programme and various specialised Master’s programmes such as Composing for Film, Live Electronics, and the Master in Musical Leadership.
Our youngest programme, the highly innovative Amsterdam Electronic Music Academy (AEMA), is only five years old. The Conservatorium has not only followed but often initiated and shaped the developments in music. Research in arts education has secured an indispensable place over the past decades. With the addition of associate professors in music and technology and musical learning cultures, the research group is strengthened in line with the forthcoming strategy.
We live in challenging times: we see museums adapting or contextualising their collections, and theatre companies updating and reinterpreting old classics. Concert halls are eagerly seeking ways to serve new audience streams, and orchestras are struggling with moral issues surrounding conductors and composers whose behaviour no longer aligns with our current values. The Conservatorium van Amsterdam faces similar questions in today’s
context. What music do we teach? Where does this music actually come from, and what knowledge have we been appropriating (for a long time)? How can we ensure that diverse talent can develop optimally? How do we shape music education in an increasingly digital world, and what role does technology play in the artistic process? What responsibility do we have towards society at (inter)national and local levels? How can we best prepare students for a career in a rapidly transforming and global labour market and society? What should the student population of a government-funded institution in the Netherlands look like?
In addition, the CvA must address questions about what it means to be a responsible and ethical institution in contemporary society. What can be expected of an employer in this day and age? How do we stimulate employees to bring out the best in themselves? How can we reduce our ecological footprint? How do we adapt to changing norms in social interaction? What is our view on hierarchy and dependency relationships? How can we foster a safe and open culture for learning?
We will continue to reflect on and discuss all of these questions - and more - as we go into the future as a dynamic and adaptable institution.
We live in a society where more music is listened to than ever before, where music still connects, inspires and provides comfort, where – in other words – music is a basic need for all of us and therefore belongs to all of us. We are convinced that if CvA takes a central place in that society, it has a vital future ahead.
Okke Westdorp Director Conservatorium van Amsterdam
MISSION, VISION & VALUES
POSITIONING
CvA is a diverse and vibrant community of musical talent, a leading international conservatoire which is committed to exceptional musical training, nurturing new ideas in music, and making a meaningful contribution to society.
MISSION
We enable musical talent to excel artistically and to establish themselves as professionals in society.
Excellent education, artistic creativity, and top-level musicianship are highly valued at the CvA, along with the cultural enrichment of society in general. As an internationally leading conservatoire rooted in Amsterdam, the CvA inspires and encourages talented and dedicated musicians to fulfil their potential and, in doing so, contribute to society.
VISION
In the heart of Amsterdam, we provide world-leading teaching, research, and performance facilities in music as well as a welcoming musical hub for the city. Mastering musical skills, experimenting with new styles across disciplines and cultures, exploring the different roles that musicians can take on in today’s society — at CvA, students become the musicians of tomorrow.
VALUES
AMBITIOUS BOLD
We are curious, work hard and constantly strive for the highest standards in learning, teaching, research, performance, and engagement with our community.
We recognise our responsibility to lead new ideas in music, think big, have an open mind towards styles and genres, and lead positive change.
CONSIDERATE COLLABORATIVE
We provide a supportive, inclusive and nurturing environment for learning and teaching, welcoming everybody, respecting everybody, and allowing them to thrive.
We recognise that we can often achieve great things through working together across the conservatoire, the AHK, the vibrant musical culture of Amsterdam, and in partnership with our (inter)national friends.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY MUSIC EDUCATION THAT OFFERS TAILORED TALENT DEVELOPMENT ON ARTISTIC, PROFESSIONAL, AND SOCIETAL LEVELS.
We offer:
Artistic development: artistry, craftsmanship, creativity, experimentation, innovation, and research skills. These are the cornerstones of all our degrees.
Professional development: positioning, entrepreneurship, and exploration of various paths within the professional field.Continuous involvement of professional musicians from the industry –including our alumni – allows them to share their insights and experiences with our students.
Societal development: acquiring educational skills and experience across various societal domains, particularly through projects with partners in and outside Amsterdam. At the CvA, students are introduced to the diverse roles musicians can play in society. They are encouraged to explore their personal needs and aspirations.
Research: A reflective and investigative mindset is important for musicians and music educators of the future. By promoting education at the intersection of artistry and research, we enable our students to push boundaries, challenge conventional norms, and contribute to the growth and development of their field.
Lifelong Learning: As the musical professional field is constantly evolving, we offer a varied and high-quality range of lifelong learning opportunities.
A vibrant alumni network and providing opportunities for development will help CvA alumni to remain wellpositioned in the professional field and keep CvA’s education up-to-date.
ENCOURAGING CREATIVITY, DIVERSITY, INNOVATION, AND TRANSCENDING DISCIPLINES IN MUSIC.
As a conservatoire offering classical, jazz, pop, electronic music, and music education, we continuously refine our curricula and encourage students and faculty to collaborate across disciplines. By engaging with new creators, fresh genres, and diverse cultures, we continuously diversify our repertoire and forms of knowledge transfer. Technology and digital education are considered integral to this.
The portfolio of programmes such as the Master’s in Musical Leadership and the Master’s in Composing for Film, which is offered in collaboration with the Netherlands Film Academy, will be intensified and further developed in the coming years.
Within the CvA’s research group, the focus in the coming years will be on the role and possibilities of technological developments and learning and listening cultures.
The (genre-transcending) research group plays an important role in innovation and transcending musical disciplines.
MAKING OUR PROGRAMMES ACCESSIBLE TO AN INCREASINGLY DIVERSE RANGE OF (DUTCH) MUSICAL TALENT, PARTICULARLY THOSE FROM THE AMSTERDAM METROPOLITAN AREA.
Collaborating with local communities enables us to learn, share knowledge, and evolve as an educational institution. Moreover, it provides us with the opportunity to promote our programmes to a diverse group of young talent. We continue cocreating projects with partner organisations across Amsterdam. We will seek to expand our programmes to become accessible to musical talent from a wider artistic, cultural, and social pool.
FOSTERING A SAFE AND COURAGEOUS EDUCATIONAL CULTURE THAT PROMOTES WELL-BEING.
At CvA, individuals interact with each other in an honest, transparent, supportive, and caring manner. Naturally, there is no place for intimidation, discrimination, or inappropriate behaviour. We aspire to be a learning organisation where young people can continually develop themselves. These activities occur within a respectful, professional, and wellbalanced working and learning environment. We offer training and counselling facilities to support the physical and mental well-being of our students, staff, and faculty. Continuous (pedagogical) training of our staff is part of this culture.
PRACTICING CONSCIOUS INTERNATIONALISATION.
At CvA, we believe that diverse perspectives enrich educational experiences. With this ethos in mind, we aim to cultivate a well-balanced community of students and faculty from both the Netherlands and abroad. In our projects, we collaborate with partners based in Amsterdam, other areas in the Netherlands and abroad. Utilising digital platforms, we engage with communities globally. We are also open to the internationalism of our city, actively seeking knowledge and collaboration with the rich musical cultures in all corners of the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area.
BECOMING AN EXEMPLARY INSTITUTE FOR STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF
To achieve our strategic objectives, we are enhancing our organisation, processes and operations with the goal of becoming a leading educational institution and employer. We are enhancing our physical, digital, and hybrid educational facilities while cultivating a diverse, inclusive, safe, and courageous working environment. We are mindful of our ecological footprint and take measures to minimise it. Additionally, we are committed to providing our employees with secure contracts, fair pay, and ample opportunities for professional development.
THE CONSERVATORIUM VAN AMSTERDAM WITHIN THE AMSTERDAM UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS
The CvA is a proud part of the Amsterdam University of the Arts (AHK). Together with the Academy of Architecture, Academy of Theatre and Dance, Breitner Academy, Netherlands Film Academy, and the Reinwardt Academy, it shapes unique education and research in the arts. These academies are leading institutions in their field and inspire, mirror, and reinforce each other as part of the AHK. The CvA Strategy 2024-2029 aligns with the AHK Strategic Plan 20242029 and is partly a detailed elaboration of it. The AHK Strategic Plan outlines objectives in education and research, six AHK-wide themes, and the necessary conditions. The AHK-wide themes are sustainability, diversity and inclusion, internationalisation, interdisciplinarity, digitalisation, and lifelong learning.
As an internationally leading conservatoire, the CvA has drawn up the CvA Strategy to focus on objectives to train the music professionals of the future. It addresses the challenges and opportunities for the CvA to keep its education current and of high quality for the future. The AHK-wide themes fall within this scope and can strengthen the CvA’s ambitions. The CvA actively contributes to these themes based on the principles outlined in this strategic plan and looks forward to collaboration and synergy with other academies. The conditions for education and research, as described in both strategic plans, will also need to be jointly shaped.
highly consistent with each other consistent with each other compatible with each other not applicable
CvA’s strategic objectives aligned with the ambitions of the AHK
Education and research in 2029
1. Providing high-quality music education that offers tailored talent development on artistic, professional, and societal levels.
2. Encouraging creativity, diversity, innovation, and transcending disciplines in music.
Strategic Plan
3. Making our programmes accessible to an increasingly diverse range of (Dutch) musical talent, particularly those from the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area.
4. Fostering a safe and courageous educational culture that promotes wellbeing.
5. Practicing conscious internationalisation.
6. Becoming an exemplary institute for students, faculty, and staff (Precondition)
1. Sustainability 2. Diversity, inclusion and social safety 3.
AHK Strategic Plan
AHK Strategic Plan
Lifelong learning