Royal Academy of Art, The Hague

Established in 1682, the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague (KABK) operates as a public academy within the University of the Arts The Hague, working in close alliance with the Royal Conservatoire. For creative technology, game design, and digital media, the academy emphasizes experimental, medium-agnostic artistic inquiry and societal intervention rather than rigid commercial production pipelines.

Interactive/Media/Design

The four-year Bachelor in Interactive/Media/Design (I/M/D) forms the core undergraduate pathway for creative digital technologies, exploring the interactions among humans, machines, and digital systems across online platforms, physical computing installations, and hybrid media. The program progresses through four developmental phases:

• Explore (Year 1): Focuses on foundational technical proficiencies across creative coding, visual communication, electronics, morphology, and emerging technologies.
• Define (Year 2): Incorporates the Individual Study Track (IST) alongside client-focused project work, enabling students to establish their creative direction and take cross-departmental coursework.
• Establish (Year 3): Emphasizes self-directed conceptual research, external internships, and professional practice.
• Apply (Year 4): Centers on independent work, culminating in a graduation showcase, portfolio presentation, and final exhibition.

Digital tools such as Cinema 4D, Blender, Adobe Animate, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Ableton Live are taught as adaptable instruments within socially engaged assignments. Student initiatives include collaborations with the Cinekid Media Festival—producing works such as "The Social Media Body" virtual reality project and the cooperative game "Unity"—as well as the SmartCity Living Lab, where students build physical installations using light and sensor technology to visualize civic data.

ArtScience and Narrative Systems

Advanced interdisciplinary study is hosted through the ArtScience Interfaculty, operated jointly with the Royal Conservatoire. The curriculum spans undergraduate and master's levels, engaging with generative art, spatial sound design, and telematic performance.

At the graduate level, the Master in Non Linear Narrative investigates creative coding and non-traditional narrative structures. Collaborative programs like Tech Week challenge students to transform real-time internet data and machine learning frameworks into physical and spatial installations through focused, hackathon-style production cycles.

Fabrication and Computing Workshops

Physical prototyping is integrated into digital production across all years:

• Computer Workshop: Acts as the primary rendering and digital lab, equipped with 27-inch iMac workstations for 2D and 3D media production alongside a dedicated software training area.
• Rental Workshop: Supplies specialized hardware, including 3D scanners, projection equipment, monitors, and video gear.
• Metal and Textile Workshops: Houses fabrication resources such as plasma cutters, welding stations, computer-controlled embroidery machines, and textile laser cutters, enabling students to construct custom arcade cabinets, physical enclosures, and tactile interfaces.