The Master Course Scenography trains and coaches the student at the hbo (Higher Vocational Education) Master Level. The course specialises in the broad knowledge domain of theatrical design and art direction. It makes a valuable contribution to the artistic practice and the public domain by studying and developing the design of theatrical space on the basis of (art) dramaturgy. The development of a critical view focuses on a world where life itself and theatre are increasingly overlapping. Within that world, however large or small the scenographer himself chooses to make it, reality and fiction are hard to distinguish. Reality becomes playing field and experiment at the same time, where everything seems to be related with everything. The fact that these bounds are becoming blurred is caused by an economy directed toward events and spectacle, which implies a huge extension of the scenographer's sphere of action. The frontiers of classical drama are constantly pushed out and this offers exciting perspectives of spatial environments to which the scenographers relates, both in a dramaturgical sense and in terms of design. In the last few decades the position of the theatrical designer has become more and more autonomous. Image has come to play a major role in the dramaturgy of theatrical performances. The professional attitude of the master of Scenography is revealed by the expressive quality of the designed space, by an individual artistic system, by constant critical reflection and an adequate mastery of artistic skills, including making, presenting and sharing his work. The master can reflect on his own work, address complex problems and provide a theoretical underpinning of his work.
Internationally oriented sector
Contacts with colleagues and representatives from the occupational sector are essential. The professional master is working within an internationally oriented sector. An international learning environment prepares the student for the international labour market and teaches him to push back frontiers, which enhances his abstraction skills and conceptual abilities. By displaying an autonomous and inquisive attitude, the scenographer shows an understanding of interdisciplinary, artistic, technichal and socio-cultural developments as well as developments in entrepreneurship, organization, communication and free market processes in art.
Enterprising attitude
Having an enterprising attitude, the scenographer is someone who likes to break out of established patterns and realize social value, who deals with uncertainty, is alert and on his toes, creative and contrary. The theatrical designer has the ability to make an essential contribution to the significance of performances by means of use and expression of space. This attitude helps the professional master ensure innovation in the cultural sector, being able to motivate and convince others and letting them share in his artistic ideas and thoughts.
Independent performing artists
MFA Scenography graduates can design all possible spatial environments, from traditional proscenium stages to visual theatre (on location) and virtual spaces. They are independent performing artists and designers capable of working in (artistic) team configurations, with an ability to initiate, organize and supervise projects themselves. They can accept all assignments in which ideas are required for a dramatic design of space.