2008 Studio - VCUarts - Virginia Commonwealth University

VCUarts is once again ranked the #1 public university school of arts and design
in the country by U.S. News & World Report (2009).
Specialty rankings from that report honored the following eight VCUarts graduate programs:
Sculpture #1 overall
Graphic Design #4 overall – #1 among public universities
Painting #8 overall – #3 among public universities
Fiber Arts #4 overall – #1 among public universities (Dept. of Craft/Material Studies)
Glass #5 overall – #1 among public universities (Dept. of Craft/Material Studies)
Multimedia/Visual Communications #9 overall – #3 among public universities
(likely a combination of our departments of Communication Arts, Graphic Design,
Photography and Film, and Kinetic Imaging)
Ceramics #12 overall – #6 among public universities (Dept. of Craft/Material Studies)
Printmaking #17 overall – #10 among public universities (Dept. of Painting & Printmaking)
In short, VCUarts has the highest ranking ever achieved by a public university
school of arts and design and is the only public university to consistently rise
in the rankings.
www.vcu.edu/arts/overview/national_rankings
Photo credit: Teresa Engle
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In 1996, a worldwide search began for universities regarded as the
top schools in their fields, so an educational center could be created
in the Middle Eastern state of Qatar. In 1997, VCU School of the
Arts was contacted to determine its interest in offering some of
the same programs as on its Richmond campus. Consequently, the
Shaqab College of Design Arts operated by VCU opened its doors
in fall of 1998 to a class of 33 female students. The school in Doha,
Qatar began to offer sophomore level courses in Graphic Design,
Interior Design and Fashion Design in 1999. The branch campus,
VCUQatar, replaced the Shaqab College of Design Arts in 2002.
Offices within the Pollak Building have changed dramatically over the summer.
In addition to the new Qatar Support Office, VCUarts Admissions now has its
own space. As part of that group, we welcome two new faces.
Erin Neff, VCUarts Admissions Counselor
Erin answers questions about VCUarts majors,
the admissions process and VCU in general.
She graduated in 2007 with dual VCUarts degrees
– Craft/Material Studies and Art Education.
Dr. Eugene Trani, VCU President; Dr. Abdullah Al-Thani,
Qatar Foundation Vice President of Education; and Thomas
Rosenthal, Rector VCU Board for the of Visitors Virginia Rector, Board of at Visitors the VCUQatar
the
VCUQatar ground breaking ground ceremony breaking ceremony
Today, as VCUQatar celebrates its 10th anniversary, it boasts 197
students, 35 faculty members and more than 180 alumni, and a
co-ed student body. VCUQatar has made significant contributions
to the state of Qatar and the region by providing outstanding design
education, developing innovative research, and advancing the
design profession.
In June 2008, on the eve of the ten year anniversary, VCUQatar
held a ground breaking ceremony to commemorate the expansion
of its building. A proposal and planning are in the works to offer
a masters degree in design and to build a large library and more
facilities to support the growing needs of the student population.
www.qatar.vcu.edu
Jessica Sumpter, Admissions Liaison
Jess is the first face you’ll see when visiting the
Dean’s Office and she is the helpful voice on the
line of 804-VCU-ARTS. Jess earned her BA degree
in Sociology from William & Mary in May of 2008.