VCUarts Qatar: Innovation And Rich Culture of Art in The Middle East

The aim of contributing to the importance of human, social, economic and environmental development in Qatar with creativity, expression and collaboration has always been VCUarts vision. To propel a holistic development of exemplary artists, designers, and scholars to build upon a diverse community and economy, the university has cultivated a dynamic intercultural environment of diverse research, learning, and community engagement.

Collaboration, experimentation, innovation, relevancy and diversity are some of the values the university has inculcated and encourages students to imbibe along with creativity, dynamic, fascination, and originality.

The first campus of the college was established in Education City and is joined by Weill Cornell Medical College, Texas A&M University, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, Carnegie-Mellon University, Northwestern University, HEC Paris, and University College London.

VCUarts Qatar has enhanced its facilities through a massive expansion project. The implementation of the university’s undergraduate and graduate programs has come about with the expansion of the project and has also led to the connection of the research and entrepreneurship offices with curricular programs. The university has also established the finest visualization and research with a media lab, digital fabrication lab, printmaking studios, photography studio, an expanded library and the first materials library.

The emerging design industries in Qatar and is an important catalyst for the growth include the involvement of the university. The university is said to be one of the finest centers for education and research in art and design. Students who have passed out from the university are pursuing the best careers of their choice within the government, nonprofit and private industries in the Middle East and around the world.  On the other hand, most students have built their empire that has, in turn, contributed to the development of the small and medium business culture in Qatar.

Life At VCUarts Qatar

One really can’t tell where one begins and the other ends and the university will not have it any other way. The two university campuses are nestled only a km away from each, in downtown Richmond.

The Monroe Park campus is home to undergraduate students and their classes along with 5 health science schools and medical centers. The campus is a blend of old and new architecture and high on energy that never ends.

Never A Boring Moment  

There is so much to do at one of the biggest universities located in the middle of a busy city.

The Comfort Of Home  

The university is filled with students from various backgrounds from all over the world. As most are leaving their homes for the first time, the university ensures they are offered several options which gives them a feeling of being right at home.

Living on Campus Has Its Own Perks

Over 6,000 students live on the VCU Virginia campus along with the freshers. The residence halls come in all kinds of shapes and sizes- traditional, suite or apartment-style at Virginia Commonwealth University. The campus is safe and secure with a 24-hour information desk and is well equipped with laundry facilities, lounges, Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and furniture.

First-year students are encouraged to live on the campus as it will enable them to interact with the other students and will enable you to find your place at VCU. Students are encouraged to participate in various social activities, which include access to a support network. If students need help with their social and educational transition to college, they can always turn to the resident assistants, graduate resident directors and professional staff.  Do you need another reason to live on campus? You will feel right at home on campus and all your basic needs will be taken care off.

A strong bond  

Are you keen on staying with students to have the same interests or majors? Virginia commonwealth university has several living-learning societies for students who are interested in leadership, the arts, outdoor adventure and much more. The university aims at improving on-campus living with an aim at considering a few preferences like shared interests, academic or lifestyle.

What’s for dinner?

Studying on an empty stomach is not an option which is why the university has several on-campus dining options to fuel the stomach before an early morning class, late nights and everything in between.

Students are given the liberty of eating at 23 different places across two campuses which include Panda Express, Starbucks, Chick-fil-A or the all-you-care-to-eat dining hall, Market 810. He or she can even choose from 10 different dining options which is ideal for your stomach and wallet.

Fresh Menu and fun events  

Being one of the best colleges in Qatar, the university offers fresh foods like local kale, sweet potatoes, Asian pears and tofu. The menu includes the most ideal holiday food traditions and students are invited to eat at some of the most authentic and culturally diverse restaurants to serve their specialties as a part of their guest restaurant program.

Good Food At Richmond  

One of the best dining places and worldwide food destinations according to National Geographic, Richmond offers a variety of food and drinks at various shops like Quirky coffee shops, Southern comfort food, taco bars, farm-to-table eateries, French cafes, food trucks, doughnut shops and more breweries than we know what to do with — they’re all in Richmond, many within a few blocks of campus.

Keeping Your Goals Alive

What are you aiming for? Do you want to become a nurse? Or do you want to stay engaged in your classes? Have you even decided on your major? Whatever your goals, the important thing is to stick with them.  Students are encouraged to achieve their goals during their time at VCU, a university in Qatar.

Places To Know On Campus

While studying at the campus, students can explore several places which include:

1. The Compass

At the heart of the Monroe Park campus, the compass is filled with activities like protest rallies, break- dancing or free food giveaways.

2. Shafer Court Dining Center

Students can enjoy the all you care to eat dining hall for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The stations offer all kinds of foods that meet the pickiest of taste buds.

3. Cabell Library

Students, faculty, and other visitors flexible work and study space, Starbucks, reading porch, a maker space and natural light is offered by Cabell Library in Qatar.

4. Cary Street Gym

The gym is one of the oldest buildings that was constructed in the 1890s. The Cary Street gym is open till midnight and is equipped with two pools, a rock-climbing wall, a four-court gym, a running track, racquetball courts and more.

5. Siegel Center

Home to VCU basketball and the nation’s most energetic fans, the games at the Seigel center is hosted by famous people like James Taylor, The Harlem Globetrotters and former president Barack Obama. With so much fun and entertainment, students are given several reasons to study in Qatar.  

6. Larrick Student Center

Students are given the chance to work out, swim, grab a bite to eat at Jonah’s drink a cup of coffee at Starbucks, or catch up with the other students at this combination gym and student center on the college campus. On the other hand, students should explore the Qatar national library just to get an understanding of the Qatari culture and history.

7. University Student Commons

Students can think of the student commons as the living room as a place to hang out, eat at the food court, play pool or video games or watch a movie at the theatre. One can have so much fun and enjoy themselves to the fullest while living on campus. What more can they ask for as far as being offered the best amenities? Students are given a homely feeling at the university.

8.Institute for contemporary art

The institute of contemporary art is a modern masterpiece house that changes creative exhibitions, films, and special programs. These are certain things students should explore when they have free time.

Academics At VCUarts Qatar

Undergraduate

“The arts are catalysts exploring new ideas” is something the university believes in. Students can discover the upcoming and traditional mediums at the 16 departments and programs. You will be challenged to hone your talents and explore your interests by experimenting with new ideas. The basic principles in art, design, performance and scholarship with rigorous academic experiences can be mastered. Students will be given support by the Qatar career Development center to develop the skills needed to prepare for whatever path they choose.

You can interact with students and faculty from all corners of VCU, which simply means the university capitalizes its place at the heart of a large public research university. You will be given several chances to collaborate even if you work with engineering students to reinvent transportation systems, use photography and film to raise awareness about conservation issues, or explore how design can talk about the history and public spaces.

Graduates

Graduate studies retain an international society of thinkers, makers, performers, teachers and scholars who are constantly on the lookout for uncertainties, looking for solutions and request others to follow suite.  Highly accomplished faculty direct the graduate program as they deal with creative work and pedagogical approaches that transcend disciplinary boundaries.  A graduate’s work is dealt within a healthy environment that enables oneself to exam, question and doubt their work along with producing creativity that enables new insight, challenges perceived thoughts or attracts attention to serious problems and their deep historical roots. Artmaking, scholarly research and creative performances are means to connect and meet private endeavors.

Graduate Funding

Candidates applying for the graduate program are eligible for the graduate teaching and research assistantship that include a tuition support and stipend.  The graduate student travel grants are funded by the VCUarts dean’s office, which encourages students to apply. The students who are pursuing their second- year deal with thesis exhibitions, projects, qualifying papers or scholarly theses or dissertations are motivated to apply for the research grants.

Arts Foundation Program  

The Art foundation program offers exciting rigorous, studio-based experience in the basics of art and design. The students are exposed to a vast forum of ideas and concepts that prepare them for a wide range of disciplines.  The foundation pushes students to develop their skills, powers of observation and intellectual agility. Furthermore, students are expected to challenge themselves to try new materials, strategies and ideas.

The foundation program offers students to several educational mediums, as it offers a benefit of defining the fields of art and design. Young artists are shaped for sustaining a career in the arts for 3 years at VCUarts.  Artists and designers work together as a group, which is one of the privileges of studying at the university. The relationship between students and teachers remains forged throughout their lives in the art.

Departments

VCU arts offer various degrees which include bachelor’s and master’s degrees in scholarship, design, visual arts and the performing arts. Graphic design, fashion, film, photography, sculpture, illustration, dance, music, theatre, animation, interior design, painting, glassblowing, ceramics and metalworking. These are some of the best art programs offered at the university, students can enroll themselves in. Artists are the main center of creative minds, and creating work that feeds the soul and serves society.

Travel and Study Abroad  

Students studying at the university can take part in programs hosted by the faculty and take part in an exchange program as well. They can even get a dean’s international study grant which allows them to travel the world and conduct research that matters to you.  Students can study at over 300 universities, which VCU is a part off. Where in the world would you like to go- University of São Paulo or the Shankar College of Engineering and Design in Israel, Beijing Foreign Studies University or the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in India.

International Programs

Faculty- Led Summer Programs

Students can study with VCUarts faculty members all over the world right from Florence to Korea.

Approved VCU Affiliates

Students can think of having a program provider affiliated with the university. Al kinds of programs are available in several parts of the world, that are taught in English. Some of the providers include:

• Academic Programs International
• CAPA International education
• Cultural experiences abroad
• CET Academic programs
• International Studies Abroad
• CIS Abroad
• SAI programs

VCUarts Qatar

The university campus in Doha, Qatar has sustained the title of being one of the best places for arts and design students in the region. The partnership between the 2 campuses has led to several opportunities for students to participate in a cross- cultural exchange, study abroad and conferences to the annual Qatar day celebration in Richmond.

Career Support And Internship  

Creative equals employable is something the university believes. The creative thinkers are selected from a wide swath of industries, whom want to bring in a new idea to the organization.  The education offered will help students discover their career path and develop their artistic side. The internships will put classroom instructions into perspective.

Right from historic galleries to powerhouse design firms to museums, performance groups and businesses of all sizes, students can intern all over the world.

The university will train students to be professionally ready:

• Undergraduate students are offered a range of services and guidance from VCU career services, which include choosing a major and graduate school to prepare for interviews and getting a big job.
• Students are given extra financial boost to help get their dream internship through VCUarts internship support grants.
• When it comes to working on a research paper, the writing center is the right place to workshop or get feedback on your artist statement.
• Your one stop shop to look for jobs and internships is Handshake at VCU.

Innovation

Art Research

The arts can help build up a conversation about the arts which include the lines of difference, creating shared experiences that bring about a mutual understanding between people, inspire empathy and compassion and lead to creativity that benefits everyone. The art and design school sustain a special dedication to collaborate, research and create an ideal image. There are certain programs and discoveries that are fostered to face challenges through interdisciplinary arts research, like using dance to address racial oppression, creating empathy in health practitioners or using sculptors to design improved facial reconstruction. Artists, designers, performers and scholars use their ability to catalyze their knowledge and become a source of contribution to the institute and the world.

The Arts Research and Innovation Office

Guidelines are offered to faculty, departments, programs, centers and institutes, in their pursuit of external funding for research, sponsored projects, and interdisciplinary collaborations by ARI. Project and research design, proposal writing consultation, budget design, partnership development, and funding source identification are some of the services offered. The office acts an incubator for interdisciplinary research themes and potential school- based research institutes and centers.

Arts and Health

Art and health connect VCUarts and VCU school of medicine and health to deal with certain complex challenges in health care. Actors are often used to practice medicine on which include empathy and communication, to creative expression that builds resiliency and prevents physician burnout. It enables harnessing the art of creating a better experience for patients.

Arts and Athletics

The idea was introduced as a collaborative course to encourage students to discover the relationship between creative expression, athletic performance, mindfulness and well-being. The athletic students engage their creative skills and discover the relationship between challenging regimen of an athlete and an artist.

Undergraduate Grants

The future of boundless possibility is nurtured at the university as they invest in shaping the future artists, designers and performers.  The university believes in investing in their students. Students are offered grant programs that are designed to bring their ideas to fruition, put their education in Qatar into perspective through an internship and explore the world of arts and culture.

Graduate Grants

Students are dedicated to expanding their horizon in terms of their practice and creative endeavors.  A student’s pursuits are invested in through research and travel grants that support investigation, either on campus or across the globe.

Faculty Grants

Faculty grants show their dedication towards improving creative knowledge and new discoveries in the arts and design. The research process from experimentation and concept development to dissemination are supported by the grants along with motiving the daring creatives to respond to some of the most vexing problems.  Exhibitions, demonstrations, publications or performances in national and international contexts are the outcome of the grants.

Fountain Head Fellowship

The fountain head fellowship is designed for graduates and offers three 9-month residences one in each department of sculpture + Extended Media, Painting + Printmaking, and Craft/Material Studies. The graduates are given a chance to build upon their work, gain valuable teaching experience with high quality students in a world class program.  Some of the facilities offered are artists’ studios, apartments, a café, an outdoor swimming pool, a dog park and other amenities along with being near campus.

Centre for Creative Economy

Creative economy is marketed as a post- disciplinary, collaborative force that drives creativity and new business models around the world. The 3 programs of study are designed to offer experiential learning that improves the scope of a specific creative discipline. Students are given an opportunity to:

• Work with one another and learn from diverse fields, experiences and perspectives
• navigate their education in an entrepreneurial way
• Engage in their entrepreneurial mindset in order to apply their talents, skills and passions in unexpected places.

Entrepreneurship

The program includes 4 courses that offer the basic groundwork for entrepreneurship, focusing on creative and design methodologies.

Collaboratory

The internship program offers students the chance to deal with hands on creative problem-solving techniques.  

Advanced Media Production Technology

Project based program brings various craftsmanship together to enable students to define and bring about a future of sound, sight and motion design.

Qatar is one of the best places to get the right education and shape your future. When it comes to looking for a university to study, think of VCUarts as it offers a range of courses that help brighten your future. With so much to learn and explore, book your flights to Qatar and enjoy the experience.

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