Stefaan Vandelacluze appointed new Director of RITCS

The Erasmushogeschool Brussels has appointed Stefaan Vandelacluze as the new Director of RITCS School of Arts. He succeeds Reinhilde Weyns, who is retiring. Vandelacluze is a strategic bridge‑builder with extensive experience in the cultural sector, having played a key role over the past decades in the development of several leading arts and youth organisations in Flanders.

With an academic background in theatre and film studies (UGent, VUB), international studies in Amsterdam and Paris, and an Executive Master in Sales & Marketing (Vlerick), he combines content expertise with strategic and financial insight. His experience encompasses cultural management, art criticism, participatory art projects, and higher education.

Since 2001, he has led the arts‑education organisation BAMM, which under his directorship grew into a broadly supported organisation with more than 200,000 participants annually. As co‑founder of the Leuven arts centre OPEK, he helped establish an innovative collaboration model that was praised for its sustainable approach and creative structure.

Vandelacluze has also made his voice heard in Flemish cultural policy, for example as a member of the Strategic Advisory Council for Culture (SARC) and as an evaluator for various subsidy rounds. His board work for organisations such as Kavka, Jint, de Ambrassade and Sociare demonstrates both his broad network and his ability to embed cultural initiatives within society.

At the same time, RITCS bids farewell to Reinhilde Weyns, who has left a strong mark on the school since 2019, first as head of studies and later as director. Under her leadership, RITCS continued to develop into an open, diverse and engaged learning environment. She emphasised education as an emancipatory force, giving students not only the tools to develop their artistic voice, but also the space to claim their place in society.
Her vision of inclusive, socially conscious arts education remains an important foundation of the school's operations.

With Stefaan, RITCS chooses a director able to connect intellectual depth, commercial acumen and social engagement. He looks forward to working with the team and students to build the future of the school together.

“Brussels is a vibrant breeding ground for new generations of artists: a city where diversity, creativity and international exchange strengthen one another every day. I want to harness that dynamic to the fullest and challenge students not only to become strong creators, but also critical thinkers rooted in society. That calls for a collective effort: building a school culture together that opens opportunities, connects people and gives full scope to experimentation, innovation and growth,” said Stefaan Vandelacluze.

To bridge the period between the departure of Reinhilde Weyns and the arrival of Stefaan Vandelacluze, Chief Executive Dennis Cluydts will act as interim Director of RITCS from 1 October until 3 November. He will work closely with departmental coordinator Tomas Vogels.