Some more info about me
As a teenager, art at school was taught in such a dry way that it never even occurred to me that I could become an artist. Only in my early twenties did I realise that this path was possible, and that realisation completely changed my life. That personal experience motivates me deeply as a teacher: I don’t want young people to see art as “just another subject,” but as something meaningful, playful, and alive. It’s a way of discovering who they are and what excites them.
I studied Fine Arts at the Royal Academy of Art (KABK) in The Hague, graduating in 2020. Alongside my own artistic practice, which includes exhibitions and large-scale drawing installations in spaces across the city, I’ve been teaching art for more than six years with Art-S-Cool and other organisations. In that time, I’ve worked with children as young as 3, with teenagers preparing their art academy portfolios, and even with older adults and people living with dementia.
These experiences have shaped strong convictions about how art should be taught. For me, art education isn’t about perfect results or technical tricks. It’s about curiosity, freedom, and independence — the joy of trying things out, making choices, and finding your own voice. My classes are hands-on and diverse: students experiment with different materials and approaches, learning that every material has its own language, and every choice opens a new door.
At the same time, I bring the perspective of someone who is an active part of The Hague’s contemporary art scene. I know what it takes to live as an artist today, what art academies look for in students, and how museums, exhibitions, and artists all play a role in shaping our culture. I use that knowledge to guide young people not only in making art, but also in understanding the bigger picture of what it means to be an artist.
Whether it’s a 7-year-old discovering paint for the first time, a 12-year-old curious about contemporary art, or a 17-year-old preparing their portfolio for KABK, my goal is always the same: to help them find confidence, excitement, and meaning in their creative process, and to show them that art can be a real, joyful part of their lives.
🎨 Learning With Your Hands / ages 6-9
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🧑🎨 Art As Adventure / ages 10-14
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🚀 Future Artists Program / ages 15-19
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Erik Kamaletdinov
Scheveningen, Den Haag