VCUQatar welcomes the class of 2018

Kris Mason
Staff Writer

VCU’s Qatar campus is continuing its ascent as one of the premier art programs in the Gulf region, and announced early this month the addition of 71 new full-time students for the class of 2018.

The 71 incoming students hail from across the globe, coming from 12 different countries including the United States. The institution chooses from potential candidates based on their grades, art portfolios submitted with their applications, letters of recommendation, writing ability and familiarity with the English language.

The 270-plus students representing 44 nationalities enrolled at VCUQuatar have the option of pursuing a bachelor of fine arts in fashion, graphic or interior design, painting and printmaking or a Bachelor of Arts degree in art history. In addition, there are 12 graduate students enrolled in the Master of Fine Arts program in design studies.

The campus was established in Qatar’s capital city of Doha in 1998. However, this is only the third year that the program accepted students for the Bachelor of Arts program, the only non-studio program available at the Qatar campus.

Aside from the newly increased student population, VCUQatar is undergoing other transitions as well. Allyson Vanstone, the dean of VCUQatar, recently announced she would be leaving at the end of this year.

Vanstone has held her position since 2007. During her tenure the Qatar campus underwent many changes including the implementation of the master’s of fine arts program, which was the first such program throughout the entire Gulf region. The Qatar House in Richmond also opened during this time.

There are many upcoming opportunities for VCU students from the Monroe Park campus to familiarize themselves with the VCUQatar program.

The annual VCUQatar Day will take place Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014 in the VCUQatar House. The event will display from projects the students in Doha. There will also be informative displays of Qatari and Arab culture such as calligraphy and clothing.

Another upcoming opportunity is the VCUQatar International Art & Design Festival. The biennial design conference titled “Tasmeem Doha” will take place March 8-12, 2015. The theme of the 2015 conference is playfulness.

During the conference, international designers, artists and other professionals will discuss and present contemporary themes of art and design. The five-day conference includes three days of workshops, one day of presentations and creative speakers, and one day of exhibition, playful interactions and performances. The deadline to apply to be a workshop leader is Oct. 1, 2014.

Students also have an option to study abroad in Doha via the Semester Exchange program. The program is available for junior and seniors in fashion design, graphic design, interior design, art history and painting & printmaking.

Due to the seven-hour time difference, no one from VCUQatar was available for comment as of press time. This week, Vanstone, Meike Kaan, Executive Director of Communications and External Relations at VCUQatar, as well as additional faculty and students will be on the Monroe Park campus next week for Qatar Day.