COOP: formal framework 2025-2026
COOPs bring makers, researchers, writers, organizers and curators (be they students or tutors) together around well-defined, relevant questions and topics. All are called to active participation in a year-long curated, collaborative, un-disciplined, art research trajectories - leading to a series of group presentations - public happenings coined as COOP SUMMIT.
First and second year students study together.
The content descriptions relating to this curriculum component are to be found here:
COOP curatorial framework 2025-2026
General introduction to the terms in use: GLOSSARY
FIRST YEAR ( INCOMING 2025) & SECOND YEAR STUDENTS (INCOMING 2024)
* Compulsory Choice | 18 ECTS | 504 hours in total
* participation in study group,
Contact hours: 276 hours
Self study hours (reading, writing, preparations for collaborative final presentation): 228 hours
ELABORATION ON STUDY GROUPS:
First and second year students study together.
Over the course of one academic year every DAI-student will join one out of the COOPs that have been organized for that year.
For the academic year 2025-2026 DAI offers 6 different COOP study groups. Each student commits for the duration of one year ~ and is placed in one of the six study groups after a guided process of matchmaking which involves writing statements of intent.
First year students choose 4 COOP study groups and describe how they could see themselves relate to the proposed research topic of each of the selected COOPs.
Second year students choose 3 COOP study groups and describe how they could see themselves really relate to the proposed reseach topic of each the selected COOPs.
The 6 tutorial teams will be invited to read all statements that concern their COOP and asked to make a selection of students who they think could potentially benefit from, contribute to and thrive in, their specific COOP in the making.
The COOP's education leader, Philippa Driest, supported by the head of program and the study trajectory counsellor will build 6 balanced study groups, fully taking in account all relevant information provided by students and tutors.
ELABORATION ON CONTACT HOURS:
What: 21 days of study led by 6 tutorial teams (each student takes part in one out of the six study groups).
Mandatory presence study groups Confluence 1,2,3,4,5: 100% attendance is strongly recommended, but if there are urgent reasons for non-attendance, you are, by law, allowed to miss out on 3 days (20% of contact hours), without an additional task above the required hours of self-study.
Mandatory presence & participation during Confluence 7 (this concerns preparation days toward as well the so-called COOP SUMMIT 2026 itself in Matera, July 2026), which count as exam and cannot be missed out upon. COOP SUMMIT is a public presentation of collaborative work.
If student's absence extends beyond that number, an additional task (always tailor-made !) must be agreed upon their COOP tutors, the COOP leader, the study trajectory counsellor and the head of program, backed by the Central Exam Committee.
If, because of force majeure ( which needs to be proven ) a student cannot be present in real life during the COOP SUMMIT, a tailor made special task will be organised by the DAI.
ELABORATION ON SELF-STUDY + OUTPUT:
*Mandatory statement of intent after introduction week.
*Substantial preparations for contributions during each Confluence.
*Substantial contribution to the Chronicles.
*Substantial contribution to the collectively written (with individual inserts) COOP SUMMIT Plan.
*Substantial contribution & participation to COOP SUMMIT 2026.
ELABORATION ON TESTING:
Midterm formative evaluation.
When: Confluence 4 ~ midterm
What: Individual formative conversation (with the help of a checklist provided by the COOP education leader), between first and second year students and their COOP tutorial teams.
Outcome registration: signed form to be placed in the student's Carrier Bag
Tutors & student assess together. The signed form will be stored at each student's CARRIER BAG page.
Final Assessment COOP
When: End of year, after the 7th Confluence or the re-sit deadline in case of absence during COOP SUMMIT 2026.
What: A combination of formative & summative assessment guided by DAI's Intended Learning Outcomes | Final Qualifications | Competencies and with 1) Praxis, 2) Discovery, 3) Realization of creative potential, 4) Presentation & Communication, 5) Research & Contextualization, 6) Critical Analysis & Reflection, 7) Collaboration and 8) Transcultural awareness & skills to be considered as the scope of investigation.
Assessors: tutorial teams (2 representatives per team) + COOP leader + BKE certified examiner.
To be assessed: individual input to the collective output. COOP research, underpinned by strong individual efforts, will be materialised in group works: CHRONICLES & COOP SUMMIT 2025
Final evaluations: assessors fill-in & sign a form & deliver a written evaluation.
The COOP study group trajectory is concluded successfully when the student is accredited with at least a ‘satisfactory’ by the tutorial team for the overall review which looks at the student’s input to:
- the year-long process of studying together
- their attendance to the Confluences
- their commitment to the Chronicles
- their participation and contribution to COOP SUMMIT 2026 outcome.The final evaluation will also include an assessment of the students active participation in the COOP SUMMIT.
This also includes the COOP study group's collective proposal for the final work inclusive of individual inserts on each participants role and contribution along with texts & visuals for website and social media and a detailed estimated production budget.
The finalised plan (incl. title, visual & curatorial blurb) must be handed in following Confluence 5 and before May 30th.
Chronicles are part of the COOP framework - they are included in the official Exam Regulations and must be assessed by the tutorial team at the end of the academic year.
Evaluation standards:
Insufficient, Satisfactory, Very Satisfactory, Good, Very Good, Excellent.