Parents on the lookout for interesting courses for their children over the summer holidays can now avail of two exciting offerings from Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar). 

The university has organised two programmes tailored to two separate age groups: Little Makers: Outer Space targets children between the ages of six to eight, while the Stop Motion Animation, 3D/2D and Sound course is for older children between 9 and twelve years old.

According to the organisers, the short courses will help students explore and develop their visual and auditory skills, using different mediums. Additionally, the sessions are structured to be age-appropriate introductions to the different disciplines taught at VCUarts Qatar.

The classes will be taught by VCUarts Qatar alumnae with prior experience teaching children’s programmes.

Little Makers: Outer Space runs from 9 to 13 July, from 10 am to 2 pm.

In this class, students will create decorative objects and desk tools made from paper, following the theme of outer space. They will also be introduced to astronomy as they learn about space and planetary bodies. Students will experiment with various mediums such as paper mâché and clay to make 3D shapes.

Stop Motion Animation 3D/2D and Sounds runs from 18 to 27 July, from 10 am to 2 pm.

In addition to exploring visual and auditory design, the classes are an opportunity for students to develop their storytelling and teamwork skills. In an age-suitable introduction to the programmes at VCUarts Qatar, students will learn

  • Graphic design skills by creating a storyboard, editing clips and footage
  • Interior design skills by designing a small 3D model for their short video
  • Fashion design skills
  • Fine art skills by sketching the storyboard and sculpting their characters using Play-Doh

The programme will include a trip to Katara Studios, where students will have the opportunity to work with the technology available there and demo it with their own animated visual creations.

VCUarts Qatar is a partner university of Qatar Foundation.

Parents can register their children’s details via qatar.vcu.edu. For more information, parents can also send an email to [email protected] or contact the organisers via WhatsApp at 3013 3448.

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