Research
Wondering whether it is possible to do a PhD in Visual Arts? Of course! Research plays a major role here.
In our PhD projects and research platforms, we do research in, for and with the arts. Every single day. At Sint Lucas Antwerpen, we have various research platforms and many ongoing and defended PhD projects. But there’s always room for more…
Research in the Arts
Sint Lucas Antwerpen has a heart for artistic research.
Lecturers and PhD students are involved in numerous projects, master classes, workshops, conferences, seminars and exhibitions based on research activities.
Artistic research in Sint Lucas Antwerpen is always conducted within an interdisciplinary and artistically relevant context.
There are one year, two year and PhD research projects. There is also our research publication called GROUNDS (previously TYPP) and – unique in Flanders – an Advanced Master: Master of Research in Art & Design.
Contact
Petra Van Brabandt
Head of Research & Social Services
Lecturer for Academic Bachelor of Visual Arts: Theory
Ruth Loos
Policy Officer Research and social outreach
Tom Viaene
Lecturer theory
Policy officer Research
Our research projects
At Sint Lucas Antwerpen, lecturers, artists, designers, and researchers engage in one- or two-year research projects, expanding their (artistic) knowledge within relevant contemporary and interdisciplinary contexts. These projects explore diverse themes, ranging from material research and artistic methodologies to critical reflections on society, history, and technology.
Both current and past research projects contribute to a dynamic research environment, fostering dialogue within and beyond the academy. The artistic knowledge developed is shared with peers, colleagues, and the wider public in the fields of art and design through workshops, publications, exhibitions, seminars, and masterclasses.
We welcome inquiries about research collaborations and social projects.
Our PhD projects
A PhD in the arts involves in-depth artistic research that typically takes around four years to complete. PhD students at Sint Lucas Antwerpen develop innovative artistic and theoretical inquiries, contributing to both research and education through masterclasses, seminars, and publications.
Several artists and designers have successfully defended their doctoral projects, including Karen Vermeren, Steve Van den Bosch, Frederik De Bleser, Wesley Meuris, Tom De Smedt, Robin Vanbesien, and Annelys de Vet. Some remain affiliated with Sint Lucas Antwerpen through educational activities or post-doctoral research.
Would you like to do a PhD at Sint Lucas Antwerpen?
Sint Lucas Antwerpen finances every two year PhD projects in the Arts. Those who meet the requirements below may compete to the open call. The next call will be launched in December 2025.
> Application form PhD Fellowship (word)
> Application form PhD Fellowship (pdf)
Requirements
Firstly, you must have a mature artistic or design practice and a strong research proposal. A master’s degree in visual arts or in another relevant field is a requirement. In addition, your doctoral proposal must be supported by a promoter (PhD) at Sint Lucas Antwerpen and a promoter (ZAP) at the University of Antwerp.
Open Call for PhD projects (50%)
An external jury makes a first ranking of the submitted proposals and positively ranked candidates will be invited for interview. The jury will communicate it’s final ranking to the ARIA Research Board. Following a positive recommendation by the ARIA Research Board, the ARIA Steering Group gives the final approval for the granting of the doctoral fellowship. The PhD student can then enrol for the doctoral programme at the University of Antwerp. An individual PhD committee is set up at the start to assist the doctoral student in their trajectory.
Doctoral programme
The Antwerp Doctoral School helps PhD students to successfully complete their doctoral studies. For this, the Antwerp Doctoral School organises a compulsory doctoral programme that can be individually tailored. The doctoral student can choose from an extensive range of courses as well as include research-related activities in the programme. Doctoral students can also claim a programme credit for attending courses and conferences. All research and programme activities are reported annually to the Antwerp Doctoral School in the form of a progress report.
Antwerp Research Institute for the Arts (ARIA)
Within the University of Antwerp, the Antwerp Research Institute for the Arts (ARIA) is the point of contact with the Schools of Art and helps give shape to the artistic research. ARIA is specifically authorised to grant doctoral degrees in Art. In addition, ARIA maintains the relationship between the University, Schools of Arts and the artistic world. In collaboration with the three Schools of Art in Antwerp, ARIA also organises a joint range of research seminars where researchers, PhD students and other interested parties are welcome.
Contact & info:
Ruth Loos, Policy Officer Research and Social Outreach
View the programme and other research activities on the ARIA website.
Advanced Master: Master of Research in Art & Design
Our advanced master program focuses on research development of artists and designers whose practice is anchored in a social-political context (including but not limited to feminism, social design, migration, decolonialism, class politics, queer politics, disability politics, capitalism, identity, Anthropocene, the (under)commons, community art, conflict&design, healing&rituals, history, big data…). The program offers time and space to do research without the requirement of any particular final format such as an exhibition or production.
The focus is on artistic research and research exchange. The program is aligned to each participant’s work rhythm and caters for specific theoretical interests by inviting a diversity of voices from a variety of fields that can cater to the individual and collective research interests. Collective learning and participatory coaching are central to the program; it comes with the engagement of each participant to care for each other’s wellbeing and research development. We offer a coaching and participation methodology that is anchored in intersectional situatedness and care.
More info: Advanced Master: Master of Research in Art & Design
GROUNDS Research Publication
GROUNDS is the journal for artistic research of the Sint Lucas Antwerpen Research Group (SLARG).
It developed out of a growing need and desire to make the multifaceted research culture of Sint Lucas Antwerpen accessible to a wide audience, both within the school community and beyond.
GROUNDS builds on the legacy of TYPP, offering a broad perspective on artistic research.
The name reflects the different “grounds” of inquiry—material, conceptual, and beyond. Rather than presenting finished results, GROUNDS highlights artistic research as an evolving process, fostering exchange and new perspectives.
GROUNDS offers a forum for the field of artistic research, which is averse to categories and continuously reinvents and reinvents itself.
GROUNDS#1 will be launched on 29 May 2025 at Extra City Kunsthal (Antwerpen).
Editorial board:
Joachim Ben Yakoub, Kim Gorus, Ward Heirwegh, Ruth Loos, Wesley Meuris, Petra Van Brabandt & Tom Viaene
Chief editor:
Kim Gorus
Graphic Design:
Ward Heirwegh
Publisher:
KdG University of Applied Sciences and Arts / Sint Lucas Antwerpen, School of Arts KdG
Contact:
kim.gorus@kdg.be