Marina Van Zuylen Interviewed in El País
Marina Van Zuylen.
Bard College’s Clemente Chair in the Humanities Marina Van Zuylen was interviewed by El País about her work. Van Zuylen discussed her perspectives on productivity and distraction, and how those concepts have shown up in her work and elsewhere in her life. “We spend our lives performing for others,” she says. “It’s always nice to be recognized for what we do, but I think what’s valuable is doing something without seeking any credit.”
Van Zuylen came to Bard in 1997 to work on the Clemente Course in the Humanities, an accredited program offering free humanities courses for adults. There are over 30 Clemente Courses in the US, all accredited through Bard or other partner colleges. She regards the Course as one of the most important initiatives she’s been part of. “The [Course is] aimed at students who are in more vulnerable situations… I’ll be more proud of having helped them than I was of Obama [awarding] me the National Humanities Medal.”
Post Date: 09-10-2025
Van Zuylen came to Bard in 1997 to work on the Clemente Course in the Humanities, an accredited program offering free humanities courses for adults. There are over 30 Clemente Courses in the US, all accredited through Bard or other partner colleges. She regards the Course as one of the most important initiatives she’s been part of. “The [Course is] aimed at students who are in more vulnerable situations… I’ll be more proud of having helped them than I was of Obama [awarding] me the National Humanities Medal.”
Post Date: 09-10-2025