Introducing the new International Master Creative Writing

The writer as connector, researcher and maker

The world of writing is changing. Whereas writers were once seen as solitary geniuses, they are now often creators in a broad network, researchers, storytellers concerned not only with fiction but also with the world around them. That shift of perspective calls for a new approach to teaching writing. And ArtEZ’s brand new international master Creative Writing responds exactly to that need.

A European network of writers

What sets this master’s program apart is the collaboration between three leading European writing schools: ArtEZ University of the Arts (Netherlands), Escuela de Escritores (Spain), and Scuola Holden (Italy). Frank Tazelaar, one of the program’s founders and director of the literary production house Wintertuin, emphasizes its importance:

“We read in an international context, but young writers often lack an European framework for their work. This master’s program provides that space. It brings students from different countries together and creates a platform for deep dialogue and collaboration.”

Hanan Faour, writer and substantive coordinator of the master’s program, adds: “Each school has its own expertise and cultural background. Through collaboration, you learn to see writing and authorship differently. That exchange is what makes this program so valuable.”

More than a writing program

This master’s program goes beyond simply developing writing skills. Students are challenged to conduct critical narrative research: analyzing their own work, the role of the writer, and the societal impact of stories.

Frank: “In the Netherlands, there is little tradition of research within literature. In the English-speaking world, that is different. We want to add a new layer to writing education, in which the writer becomes part of the research. Why do you write the way you do? How does your work relate to the world? These questions are central.”

Hanan adds: “Writing itself is research. By continuously creating and reflecting, new material emerges. That process is just as important as the result.”

Site-specific residencies: writing on location

Three times a year, students participate in residencies. These are not just study trips but essential components of the program. Writers immerse themselves in the cultural, historical, and political context of the location and develop work that reflects on it.

Hanan: “Writers are challenged to engage with the place they visit. It’s not just about attending classes, but about creating work that interacts with the environment and the community.”

Frank: “We work with urgent themes: migration, colonial histories, shifting identities. These are stories that need to be told. And writers play a crucial role in that.”

The writer of the future

This master’s program is designed for writers who want to look beyond their own work. Whether you are a recent graduate, an established professional, or come from another artistic discipline, the program is for anyone who wants to conduct critical narrative research, deepen their practice, and connect with other writers.

Frank: “Writers are increasingly seen as bridge-builders – not just creators, but also translators, researchers, strategists. Their role in society is becoming more diverse, and this master’s program responds to that.”

Hanan: “We want to educate writers who are not afraid of change, but curious about it. Writers that don’t shy away from new technologies or societal developments but embrace and explore them. This is not a master’s for the solitary writer locked in their room, but for the writer who engages in dialogue and wants to make an impact.”

A European Utopia

What do Frank and Hanan hope this master’s program will achieve? A generation of writers who not only create stories but also reshape the way we think about storytelling.

Frank: “A Spanish colleague recently said: we need to stop writing dystopias because they validate the current political reality. We need new utopias. This program can help us find them.”

Master’s in Creative Writing

The international Master’s in Creative Writing starts in September 2025. Applications are open until April 11. Are you ready to be part of a new European literary movement? Apply now.