Open days

We are pleased to invite you to the upcoming Piet Zwart Institute (PZI) Open Days in 2026, taking place both on campus in Rotterdam and online. These Open Days offer an opportunity to explore our master’s programmes, meet staff and students, and get a sense of the learning environment at the Piet Zwart Institute, part of the Willem de Kooning Academy (WdKA)

On-campus open days
Saturday February 7, 2026, 10am–3pm (CET) / Saturday March 28, 2026, 10am–2pm hrs (CET)

During the open day on Saturday February 7, the master studio spaces of both the WdKA and the PZI will be open to the public. Throughout the day, PZI staff and students will be present to answer questions, and several of the master’s programmes will give presentations. 

Visitors are also welcome to explore the six WdKA Stations (workspaces) located across the Blaak 10 and Wijnhaven 61 buildings, offering insight into the facilities and working environments of the academy.

The Piet Zwart Institute hosts four full-time master’s programmes; Interior Architecture: Research + Design (MIARD), Master of Arts in Fine Art and Design, encompassing Fine Art (MFA), Lens-Based Media (LB) and Experimental Publishing (XPUB); and two part-time master’s programmes: Education in Arts (MEiA) and Master Design.

More information: programme and registration
Visit here for detailed information and registration. A detailed programme for the Open Day will be shared one week in advance. Those who register will receive the full schedule by email a few days prior to the event. 

Visiting address: Willem de Kooning Academy, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Piet Zwart Institute, Wijnhaven 61, Rotterdam, Website

Online open days: In addition to our on-campus events, each programme will host online information sessions, including presentations and Q&A moments with staff and students:

Experimental Publishing (XPUB)
Tuesday January 27, 10–11am (CET) / Tuesday January 27, 5–6pm (CET).

Master Design
Monday February 9, 3–4pm (CET)

Master of Arts in Fine Art and Design–Fine Art (MFA)
Monday February 9, 11am–12:30pm (CET) / Monday February 9, 3–4:30pm (CET)

Lens-Based Media (LB)
Monday February 9, 10–11am (CET) / Monday February 9, 4–5pm (CET).

Master Interior Architecture: Research + Design (MIARD)
Monday February 9, 10–11:30am (CET) / Monday February 9, 4–5:30pm (CET)

Education in Arts (MEiA)
Monday February 23, 1–2pm (CET)

If you want to apply for the Online Open Day, please send an email to: pzi.admission@hr.nl.

About the Piet Zwart Institute
The Piet Zwart Institute houses the international master’s programmes of the Willem de Kooning Academy at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. Since 1999, the Institute has been dedicated to study and research in art, design and art education, offering a rich combination of in-depth specialisation and interdisciplinary exchange within an intimate learning environment. 

Located in the heart of Rotterdam at Wijnhaven 61, the Piet Zwart Institute brings together a diverse international community of students and staff, while maintaining strong local connections to the city and its cultural landscape. Named after the pioneering Dutch designer Piet Zwart, the Institute encourages an experimental, critically reflective and practice-based approach to art and design. 

As both an educational institute and a cultural platform, “making public” is central to PZI’s activities. Through exhibitions, publications, conferences and public programmes, the Institute actively shares research and practice beyond the academy, while providing the speculative space necessary for reflection and knowledge production.

We look forward to welcoming you, on campus or online.