An obligatory part in the graduation phase is an internship of at least 13 weeks with a modern dance company and / or an ad hoc production. The internship consists of participating in a professional production and dancing in a series of performances. Characteristic of an internship is that students work and learn independently while active in professional practice, but always under the guidance of the study programme and a mentor from the institute providing the internship. It is important that the student is supervised in both his/her work and learning moments. The student is personally responsible for obtaining an internship placement which takes place via auditions. On obtaining an internship posting, the student and the institution in question sign an agreement.

Preparation for the internship begins in the third academic year with an introductory course and a module on the business aspects of being a professional dance artist. It deals with subjects like contracts, producers, subsidy applications and publicity. The premise is that dance students benefit greatly from receiving information at an early stage about these matters since up-to-date knowledge is increasingly important for dancers active in professional practice. During orientation of the business side of their future profession, students are introduced to the site ww.beroepskunstenaar.nl, the digital source of information for young professionals at the AHK. In year one and two, the students do field work assignments and a mini internship in preparation for their internship year. A student can complete his/her internship in different ways. He/she can pursue one long or several short internships. It is also possible to follow an exchange programme with a dance ensemble in the Netherlands or abroad.

An internship agreement entered into by the student, the study programme and the institution providing the internship, lists the mutual obligations, the content of the internship and the criteria on the basis of which the student’s internship is assessed and concluded.

At the end of his/her internship, the student writes a report that is assessed by the internship supervisor. If possible, students give a presentation to pass on their internship experiences to junior students.

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