About Field Studies

Field Studies is distinguished by its convivial atmosphere and a radically open pedagogy, animated entirely by a constellation of people and objects in a given place and time. The biographies of the tutors and artists, their respective interests and diverse fields of practice form a starting point. The city, space for shared activities, including eating together, and doing things with theory provide infrastructure. But the final outcome and learning is ultimately constructed through the individual histories and intentions of students and artists in relation, and the material and social interactions that emerge between them.

Field Studies alternates between symposium and studio. Led by a group of international practitioners whose work is located at the threshold of different disciplines, the curriculum alternates between open workshops, lectures and talks by the artists, and collective practice in smaller studios where up to twelve students and two artists work towards the realisation of a common project or outcome. The format, extent, conventions and nature of this outcome is not determined at the outset.

Field Studies is part of the creative universe and research output of experimental choral ensemble Musarc and its extensive network of artists, composers and singers. Questions around movement, embodiment and technique; the collective voice of the choir and its political and aesthetic dimension; rhythm, repetition and practice; and the idea of knowledge set in motion through performance and a common choreography fundamentally underlie Field Studies as a methodology.

It is significant that Musarc and Field Studies originated in the Architecture School. Both today operate in the epistemic pluriverse of the Art School and its planetary outlook. At Field Studies, the chorus acts as a structuring apparatus part of this kind of complex mix. The choral has the power to hold difference and challenge conventional notions of creative practice in education and learning, particularly in relation to the primacy of language in this context and the neglect of the body and the histories it carries. Field Studies is not a choral summer school, but its pedagogy deploys the choral as method and as a tool to frame a shared creative practice.

Field Studies is open to and provides access to anyone interested to join. It invites applications from students and practitioners who want to test collaborative and performative processes in relation to a broad range of individual disciplines, from fine art and painting to design, architecture, film, music, time-based arts as well as curatorial practices and the field of education. To find out more about course fees and how to apply, click here.

Field Studies is organised by Musarc and curated by the ensemble’s creative director Joseph Kohlmaier. Musarc is part of CREATURE, the Centre for Creative Arts, Cultures and Engagement and the School of Art, Architecture and Design, London Metropolitan University. Field Studies 2025 is presented in collaboration with, and generously supported by Luca School of Arts, Ghent.

Field Studies 2025: Choir as Method
10–14 September 2025
Luca School of Arts
Campus Ghent, Sint-Lucas
Hoogstraat 51, 9000 Ghent
Belgium

The programme starts at 4pm on Tuesday 10 September and ends at 3pm on Saturday 14 September 2025. The evening programme of public events will be announced in Spring 2025.

For inquiries please contact info@field-studies.org.