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 join Sint Lucas Antwerpen Research Group (SLARG) and do a PhD in the Visual arts?
Sint Lucas Antwerpen finances every two years several PhD projects in the Visual Arts. Those who meet the requirements below may apply for the open call.
The 2025 call is now open! There are four fellowships available, of which one is a pilot collaboration with Jan van Eyck Academie, Maastricht, The Netherlands. Check out the application form below for more information!
> Application form PhD Fellowship (word)
> Application form PhD Fellowship (pdf)
> Flemish Research Discipline List (pdf)
The successful candidate receives a part-time research position (50%, assistant) at Sint Lucas Antwerpen and is admitted to the doctoral program of ARIA (University of Antwerp). The fellowship takes four years, starting with a 2-year contract that is once renewable upon positive evaluation. The due date for applications is 1 March 2026 and the starting date is 1 September 2026.
Requirements
We are looking for candidates with a strong artistic portfolio, an active artistic practice and a convincing research proposal. A master’s degree in visual arts or in another relevant field is a requirement. In addition, your PhD proposal must be supported by one supervisor at Sint Lucas Antwerpen (KdG) and one at the University of Antwerp. For supervisors at Sint Lucas Antwerpen, please consult our SLARG website and filter on supervisors. If you find a supervisor whose research interests are compatible with yours, send them your research abstract, a relevant portfolio, and indicate why you think your project is in line with their research interests.
Selection process
The international selection committee consists of academic and non-academic experts in artistic research in the visual arts. They make a first selection based on the application files and the best ranked candidates are invited for interview. After the interviews, the selection committee send their final selection to ARIA Steering Committee, who is in charge of assessing and approving the final selection.
Doctoral programme
The selected PhD candidates must enrol for the doctoral programme at the Antwerp Doctoral School (ADS). ADS helps PhD students to successfully complete their doctoral studies. For this, they organise a compulsory doctoral programme that can be individually tailored. The doctoral student can choose from an extensive range of courses and include self-initiated research activities in their programme. Activities are annually reported to ADS in the form of a progress report.
Antwerp Research Institute for the Arts (ARIA)
The Antwerp Research Institute for the Arts (ARIA) is in charge of PhD research in the arts in Antwerpen. It is the research platform of the University of Antwerp and the three Schools of Arts. ARIA annually organises the research month, Spring School and numerous seminars. ARIA is chaired by prof. dr. Bart Eeckhout (ZAP, University of Antwerp) and dr. Petra Van Brabandt (Head of Research Sint Lucas Antwerpen). We advise candidates to carefully read the ARIA PhD Roadmap before applying.
Contact & info:
Ruth Loos, Policy Officer Research and Social Outreach
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