Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) recently held an Open Day in Education City, for prospective students who want to learn more about their suite of art and design degree programmes.
VCUarts Qatar is the international branch campus of Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of the Arts in Richmond, Virginia, in the US, and it offers students the opportunity to earn a degree in fashion design, graphic design, interior design, painting and printmaking, art history, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in design.
The students and their families and friends had the opportunity to meet VCUarts Qatar Dean Amir Berbić. Dean Berbić is the youngest Dean in Education City. A graphic designer himself, he welcomed the students and gave a brief presentation about the university.
The Dean’s presentation was followed by introductions from Associate Professor Ryan Browning from the Art Foundation department, who took attendees through the art and design portfolio requirements for the university’s application process; and by Dr Sean Roberts, the Chair of the Art History department, who explained what was essential when applying to study Art History, such as SAT or ACT scores, and essay samples.
The attendees also met with faculty members from the academic departments, and with current students, who were happy to answer their questions about life at VCUarts Qatar, and the many activities that take place – exhibition openings, or field study trips to locations of interest to art and design students. The university also offers its students a plethora of exhibition project spaces where they can curate and display their works to visitors.
Participants were also given a tour of the university’s facilities by members of the Student Government Association, who showed them spaces such as the Materials Library, the only one of its kind in the Gulf region, and the Fabrication Lab with its 3D and laser printers, as well as visits to the classrooms and studios throughout the university where they could see students working on projects.
Director of Recruitment and Admissions Katherine Mangum said they hoped that seeing art being created and learning what they really do at VCUarts Qatar will help prospective students with their decision-making, and choose to join them.
Deadline for submission of applications to VCUarts Qatar for academic year that begins in August 2020, is 1 February 2020.
Find out more about admission to VCUarts Qatar at qatar.vcu.edu.
