Network for design, art and crafts at university level (KHUH)

- 10 years of developing community of practice

Abstract

In 2013, the National Center for Arts and Culture in Education (KKS), in collaboration with teacher trainers in the subject, took the initiative to create what is today the Network for design, art and craft at university level (KHUH). Since its establishment, this network has given priority to arrange annual network conferences in order to strengthen research and collaboration within the field. In this article, the Network Conferences in the period 2014–2022 are studied in the light of Lave and Wenger's theory 'communities of practice', where access to professional and organizationally legitimate peripheral participation is at the core. Our empirical data gives us reason to claim that the activity in the KHUH community of practice has grown in this period, as more educators have gained access to such participation. A total of 288 presentations, such as papers, practical stories or posters, have been presented, 20 participants have contributed to working committees (AU) and 11 to scientific committees (VK). KKS deserves credit for the network's progress and continuity. The investment in KHUH – rather than a common aesthetic network – has proven to be a successful strategy.