The research group ‘Lifelong Learning in Music & the Arts’ is a joint group of the Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen (Prince Claus Conservatoire) and the University of the Arts, The Hague (Royal Conservatoire). It examines the concept of Lifelong Learning and its consequences for musicians and artists.
The Research Group Lifelong Learning in Music & the Arts contributes to the development of the professional practice of musicians and artists by conducting practice-based research into the way in which professional musicians and artists can make meaningful contributions to our rapidly changing society and how art can be a connecting factor in society. In view of this mission the research group does research and creates projects, together with partners from the (international) professional practice. The results of this have implications for the learning environment and curricula of higher arts education.
Graduates have to be able to function in a flexible way in a rapidly changing professional practice. Institutions for higher arts education can anticipate by creating an adaptive learning environments which enable students to be responsive and pro-active. In relation to this adequate professional development of teachers is important.
During the past years the research group LLMA has worked on innovation by conducting research, creating pilot projects and international exchange with partner institutions. The work of the research group has continued and expanded to various areas in other arts disciplines. Four research strands underpin the work plan of the research group LLMA for the coming years.

Members research group Lifelong Learning in Music & the Arts. Schiermonnikoog, 2011: Meeting research group and external advisors (not all members are present on the photograph)
From right to left: Tine Stolte, Robert Harris, Leo Delfgaauw, Peter Alheit (external advisor), Peter Renshaw, Kristin Valsdóttir, Ben Boog, Jim Undercofler (external advisor), Rosie Perkins, Linda Hendriks, Evert Bisschop Boele and Rineke Smilde